Jordan, who was born to a Nigerian father Alexander and American mother Amy, was part of the Nigerian team that played at the 2019 Men's World Cup. On defense, Oladipo can guard all around his court. "It feels great to be the first Nigerian in this draft to be drafted," he said after being picked. In his last year with co-captain and veteran point guard Andre Miller, Iguodala helped lead the Sixers to another playoff berth, finishing the season with a 4141 season record, 6th in the Eastern conference. Houses Andre Iguodala bought a mansion in Lafayette, California. [63] On December 11, 2017, against the Portland Trail Blazers, Iguodala played his 1,000th regular-season game, becoming one of 126 players in NBA history to accomplish the feat. He had been making those shots all game, man. So I'm excited to learn from him. He was born to Nigerian parents who are pentecostal ministers in Minnesota, with his father Francis a former table tennis player for Nigeria. "My hope was to end up in a great organisation, and thank God my prayers got answered and I'm part of a great organisation," Achiuwa said. It didnt feel right to me. In acknowledgment of the players of Nigerian Origin's impact on the NBA, this list is a chronicle of the best such active players. The objective of the event is to help startups understand what they need to do to attract investment. He scored 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. His high-flying leap and freakishly strong frame put him at second number on this list. His efforts were rewarded when he was named to the All-Rookie First Team and started on the rookie team during the Rookie Challenge portion of All-Star Weekend. And the saying is almost very literal, so just taking care of your own and being there for family and obviously all the other pieces of hard work and honesty and integrity and all that comes into play as well., [My parents instilled] just the go get it mentality, Achiuwa said. Landry has referenced the need for accountability. In Game 1, Orlando had an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia made an amazing comeback led by Iguodala, eventually scoring a step-back, fadeaway jumper in the face of Hedo Trkolu with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Sixers the win. The next Basketball Without Borders trip that is in Nigeria, I want to be a part of that one.. "I'm so excited to play alongside Rudy (Gobert)," Azubuike said. American Basketball star Andre Iguodala , a notable tech investor and board member of Jumia Group, recently visited Nigeria his country of descent to engage . Once he picks up momentum it is unstoppable to stop the Greek Freek. 'They have no choice now': LeBron James, seldom labeled a pure scorer, eyes the NBA points summit, Warriors' Iguodala set for season debut vs. Magic, The questions that will determine the Warriors' repeat title run, 16 carats?! Of course I take responsibility. Jumia made the announcement stating that the 35-year old Andre will be "charged with promoting business development and technology in Africa.". We want to be a good representation of what we believe in. [98], Alongside teammate Stephen Curry, Iguodala is known to be an avid golfer. Ayton was born to a Nigerian father and a Jamaican and Bahamian mother. Its just one of those random occurrences, but it shows you how much basketball has grown. On January 3, 2014, Iguodala hit a game-winning, 3-point buzzer-beater in the Warriors' 101100 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Iguodala's mother is African American while his father is Nigerian. And I wouldnt trade anything for my culture and me being from Nigeria.. The 22-year-old was the last of the players of Nigerian heritage to be selected in the first round of the draft. The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. He was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshmen team for 200203. pic.twitter.com/xBfn4VKGBm. During the 2017 championship run, he further established his legacy as one of the NBAs premier players. Its interesting. Were a lot further than we were three, four years ago. But that wasnt what kept him from saying yes to a unique opportunity. He put up 11 points in an 8475 loss, and received a mixed response from the crowd. We felt like we were good enough to medal in the World Cup, but we did the other part of our job to qualify for the Olympics, so that was incredibly fulfilling and an awesome experience to make the people back in Nigeria proud.. Jim, we did it baby! Meet the Nigerian-American NBA star, Andre Iguodala, who is driving tech investments in US and Africa By Henry Ojelu National Basketball Association, NBA star, Andre Tyler Iguodala is on his way to Africa. The regular season, which has been reduced by 10 matches to 72 due to Covid-19, is due to tip-off on the 22 December. [51] In the first round of the playoffs, the Warriors faced the eighth-seeded Houston Rockets, and in a Game 4 win on April 24, Iguodala scored a season-high 22 points. Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a Nigerian father and an African American mother in Illinois Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a. Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois to his father Leonard Shanklin, and his mother Linda Shanklin. They didnt know I invested. His most lethal move is his euro step, which he uses to slither to the basket in traffic. DeAaron Fox showed Russell Westbrook nothing but respect after defeating the Clippers on Friday. Game 5 had it all as the Warriors' title hopes stay alive and they mourn Kevin Durant's injury", "Why Iguodala didn't plan to sit out, re-sign with Warriors", "Warriors trade Andre Iguodala to Grizzlies; Lacob says team will retire jersey", "Why the collapse of the Warriors feels so abrupt", "Warriors Acquire All-Star Guard D'Angelo Russell From Brooklyn Nets", "Should the Blazers be a candidate to acquire Andre Iguodala from the Grizzlies? I've really improved my jump shot and shooting the three-pointer well. When Iguodala was in the game, James made only 38.1% of his shots, compared to 44% without Iguodala. [46] He finished the series averaging 16.3 points, 4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. Iguodala averaged a career-high 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game through the 82 games. The Players Technology Summit, sponsored by Bloomberg, was established as a platform to set a discourse and help shape conversations for athletes financial future through opportunities in the technology industry. We did not. Andre Iguodala, an 18-year veteran of the NBA, has made his mark as one of the league's premier players. In the FIBA World Championships Iguodala displayed his athleticism with an array of fastbreak dunks. One of the determining factors for Iguodala was the commitment of Hassan Adams, whom Iguodala had played with in the Jordan Brand Classic in high school. He has since performed phenomenally for his team. Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois. As guys like Achiuwa, Vincent and Adebayo continue to make a name for themselves, basketball will just continue to get more and more popular in Africa. His defensive prowess lies in his ability to gather balls off the rim and offensively, he can put the same balls back in for quick buckets. That should be everyone's goal, to win a championship that everyone wants to win," Okongwu insisted. But I think once guys get in, what they are realizing is this is not a quick space. Were not there yet in terms of decision-making. He also made the All-Pac-10 First Team and was named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press. On August 10, 2012, Iguodala was dealt to the Denver Nuggets in a series of trades also involving the Sixers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic. I didn't think I'd be able to play at a level like Louisville," he said before the draft. Is every player on the table when it comes to potential change, including Trae Young? Bam Adebayo, simply put, has no regard for the basket. [41] The Warriors advanced to the 2015 NBA Finals to face Cleveland, where he was the team's best defender against Cavaliers star James. Even though I wasn't born in Nigeria, I still got Nigerian blood. We went to the Dominican Republic, played there. Free shipping for many products! He played like a man possessed while under the paint. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Andre Iguodala 2017/18 Panini Select Basketball Silver Prizm #17 NrMt at the best online prices at eBay! "Myself, I just want to be able to get better, be able to be the best that I can be, continue to work hard, have a great work ethic.". NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. That team, which includes Penn grad Koko Archibong,. [68][69] After starting nine consecutive games,[70] he missed the deciding Game 4 in the conference finals against Portland with a sore left calf injury from Game 3. Africa largest e-commerce platform welcomes Golden State super star Andre Iguodala as a board member. He captured the Finals MVP after returning to the starting lineup in the middle of the championship series. Iguodala's father is Nigerian. Iguodala will promote business development and technology in the U.S. on behalf of Lagos-based Jumia, the online marketplace founded in 2012 that sells 6 million products from more than 50,000 . During the season, he averaged 9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 32.8 minutes per game. American Basketball star. This was also the fifth time in NBA history that an eighth seed defeated a first seed in the opening round of the playoffs. Eight of the draft picks are players with Nigerian heritage. A reminder: The Heat has until 5 p.m. tomorrow to decide on the team options in the contracts of Goran Dragic ($19.4 million) and Andre Iguodala ($15 million). Despite the Warriors going up 31 in the series following a Game 4 win, they went on to lose the series in seven games to become the first team in NBA history to lose the championship series after being up 31. It made me who I am, and its pretty much the foundation of who I am today, Achiuwa said. [50] The Warriors finished the regular season as the first seed in the Western Conference with a 739 record, the best overall record in NBA history, surpassing the 199596 Chicago Bulls' mark of 7210, while Iguodala finished as runner-up for the 201516 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He was one of four players to average at least 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, with the others being LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tracy McGrady. [77][78] Afterwards, the Warriors stated that they planned to eventually retire Iguodala's No. A lot of companies were in this area. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The 19-year-old shooting guard is 6ft 9 and was a high school teammate of third pick LaMelo Ball at Chino Hills in California, where he was born. It keeps me focused When people see us on the court, we want them to see God's work. He is often called the Greek Freak, a name that perfectly suits his style. Finals", "Warriors first to 5 Finals in row since 1966 Celtics", "Raptors capture first NBA title, beat Warriors in Game 6", "After the Injuries, What's Next for the Warriors? Everything you need to know about the Warriors' championship rings, Warriors vet Iguodala returning for 19th season, They said it! In the final round, he did a behind-the-back dunk and followed with a reverse. Iguodala is a Nigerian name borne by people of Edo in South . Andre Iguodala PPG 2.3 RPG 2.3 APG 1.7 PIE 5.3 HEIGHT 6'6" (1.98m) WEIGHT 215lb (98kg) COUNTRY USA LAST ATTENDED Arizona AGE 39 years BIRTHDATE January 28, 1984 DRAFT 2004 R1 Pick 9 EXPERIENCE. Iguodala averaged career-highs in rebounds, assists, and blocks, and a career-low in personal fouls. The National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Andre Iguodala has joined Jumia's board of directors. He was also a member of the United States national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal both times.[2]. Antony Ressler: We just elevated Landry, elevated Kyle and we brought in a world-class coach (Quin Snyder). That was just an E-Trade investment. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. [13] However, on July 25, 2017, Iguodala re-signed with the Warriors[62] on a three-year, $48 million contract. Read about our approach to external linking. Per the Philly Inquirer: Iguodalas father is Nigerian. pic.twitter.com/zOuopMbpCb, Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 4, 2023, Agents, Free Agency, George Langberg, Top Rumors, Top Rumors, Agents, Free Agency, George Langberg, Nerlens Noel, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons. [12][13], Iguodala was selected 9th overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Basketballers from every corner of the planet dream of playing in the league one day. The 6ft 6 shooting guard was raised in Indiana with a southern-Nigerian father and American mother. So he was invited to try out for - and in this case, "try out for" means "make" - the Nigerian Olympic squad. [5] After the season, Iguodala signed with agent Rob Pelinka, co-founder of the Landmark Sports Agency, who had represented NBA All-Stars such as Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer and Gerald Wallace. Theres a lot of talent in Africa, Achiuwa said. [103], Together with partner Rudy Cline-Thomas, Iguodala has been able to invest in companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Tesla. The organization has hosted basketball camps and the annual "Thanksgiving with Dre", which has distributed food baskets to families in need. During the playoffs, he boosted his averages to 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while also starting a majority of the games. He was named NBA All-Star in 2012. It is something that you are invested in. My body feels explosive. Andre Tyler Iguodala ( / wdl / ig-w-DAH-l; born January 28, 1984) [1] is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Spin: Iguodala hasn't suited up since mid-January and will miss yet another game Friday. From protecting his rim to cutting off a drive, he knows how to defend and score points. [53] The Warriors would again play the Cleveland Cavaliers for the championship. Remember I wrote that it has an Igbo meaning but I'm not sure whether its an Igbo name. [103], Iguodala is a Venture Partner in the Catalyst Fund, which invests in underrepresented founders and entrepreneurs of tech companies. Mr. He has appeared in three playoffs and two NBA All Stars games proving his potential. Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Iguodala was listed as the No. He returned to the Warriors in 2021 and won his fourth NBA championship the same season. He is expected to promote the companys business development and technology in the U.S. Iguodala is not only excited that he is visiting Nigeria for the first time as an adult, he is happy to invest home. HoopsHype: Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic: HoopsHype: Jimmy Butler on Julius Randles winning three-pointer: Mark Haynes: DeAaron Fox showed Russell Westbrook nothing but respect after defeating the Clippers on Friday. He practices Christianity as his religion. Andre Iguodala is born of a Nigerian father and an African-American mother. [40] On March 18, 2015, he scored a then season-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting in a 11495 win over the Atlanta Hawks. When Iguodala was selected, ESPN personality Dick Vitale commented that it was a mistake for the Sixers to take him, saying "Iguodala was a [27 percent] shooter from the college three-point line. Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Rookie Of The Year", "Iguodala powers sophomores in Rookie Challenge", "Robinson, not Iguodala, wins dunkfest amid controversy", "Andre Iguodala Finally Speaks On Being Robbed of 2006 Dunk Contest By Nate Robinson (Because Of Manny Pacquiao)", "He Got (Nate) Robbed: The Oral History of the 2006 NBA Dunk Contest", "Sources: Iguodala agrees to six-year, $80 million deal with Sixers", "Iguodala signs reported six-year, $80 million deal with 76ers", "Denver Nuggets acquire All-Star, Olympian Andre Iguodala", "Warriors, not Grizzlies, are to blame for Andre Iguodala predicament", "Warriors Acquire Andre Iguodala from Denver Nuggets as Part of Three-Team Trade", "Warriors beat Thunder at buzzer, 116-115", "Andre Iguodala hits buzzer-beater 3 to extend Warriors winning streak to eight games (Video)", "Warriors Forward Andre Iguodala Earns NBA All-Defensive First Team Honors - Golden State Warriors", "Iguodala's Willingness to Come off Bench Helps Key Warriors", "Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series", "Andre Iguodala's defense on LeBron helps him win Finals MVP", "Andre Iguodala 2015-16 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com", "Clippers' Crawford named Kia NBA Sixth Man of Year", "With Andre Iguodala back in the starting lineup, Warriors are back in the NBA Finals", "When LeBron swooped in and changed the course of Cavs' history", "Hawks vs. Warriors - Game Recap - November 28, 2016 - ESPN", "Warriors rout defending champion Cavaliers 126-91 in rematch", "Iguodala scores 24 to lead Warriors past Hawks, 119-111", "Warriors' Andre Iguodala fined, offers no apology for racial comments", "Warriors trounce Lakers, finish regular season with 67-15 record", "Warriors sweep Spurs, enter NBA Finals 12-0", "Steve Kerr went with his best closer again -- Andre Iguodala for the title", "Warriors Re-Sign Curry, Durant, Iguodala, Livingston, Pachulia and West to Contracts", "Andre Iguodala, Warriors agree to three-year, $48 million deal", "Durant leads short-handed Warriors past Portland 111-104", "Durant has 43, Warriors take 3-0 NBA Finals lead over Cavs", "Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala will play in Game 3 of The Finals", "Sources: Grizz explore trade market for Iguodala", "Warriors Start Hamptons Five, Showing Urgency in Win Over Rockets", "After Game 1, Steve Kerr says 'it's a series where we can play more people', "Warriors Sweep Blazers to Reach Their 5th Straight N.B.A.