The action you just performed triggered the security solution. His father is Nigerian, while his mother is of African American origin. [11] However, after their coach, Nolan Richardson, was fired that year (2002), Iguodala decided to attend Arizona instead. That season, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. What building a culture really means, and make sure we have a roster that can accommodate those priorities. 8 years ago today. I never gave it any serious thought. [83] The Heat reached the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost 42 to the Los Angeles Lakers,[84] and Iguodala became the tenth player in NBA history to make it to six straight Finals. Coming into the 201011 NBA season, the 76ers were expected to rebound from their poor season. They didnt know I invested. As part of the trade, he agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with Miami, with the last year being a team option. He has appeared in three playoffs and two NBA All Stars games proving his potential. He protects the paint regularly, implements chase-down blocks, and can even snatch offensive and defensive rebounds. 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. Just giving those kids back home an opportunity to be able to showcase their talent in a well-put-together league, I think, is great.. He is very close to his parents and his parents also supported him in every phase of his life. He is an American professional basketball . He reminds me a lot of Kevin Garnett with his package - his athleticism, his skill set," Underwood said. Now a permanent fixture in the 76ers' starting rotation, Iguodala was the only Sixer to play in and start all 82 games in his second season. After three championships and five trips to the Finals with the Warriors, Iguodala had a two-year stint with the Miami Heat, with whom he reached his sixth straight Finals in 2020. Iguodala was named the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) First Vice President earlier this year. [30] Iguodala returned on opening night of 201213 to play his former team. [64] Iguodala played in Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals after missing the final four games of the Western Conference Finals and the first two games of the NBA Finals with a left lateral leg contusion. You want to play hard for someone who died for you". . Oladipo is a multi-dimensional player. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2b9bbd9d8d80d2 So he was invited to try out for and in this case, try out for means make the Nigerian Olympic squad. [5] Growing up, Iguodala rooted for the Chicago Bulls, and he cites Michael Jordan as the player he looked up to.[6]. To be fair, some will read this and say the owner didnt close the door to trading Trae Young. One of them was a mobile gaming company that had a lot of success in Zynga. Other players involved in the deal included All-Stars Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. Iguodala was a member of the United States national team in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, winning the gold medal. 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. Unfortunately, Iguodala went on to miss twelve consecutive games. We tend to hop on what is trending at the moment. I bring a mature, consistent approach, both on and off the floor, and I think that'll be beneficial early on," he said about the prospect of playing in the NBA. Andre is a citizen of the USA. The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. His Lanphier jersey is now retired. 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]. Precious Achiuwa is the third Nigerian-born player to be drafted in the first round since 2000, while soon after Udoka Azubuike was the 4th. His most lethal move is his euro step, which he uses to slither to the basket in traffic. Andre Iguodala, whose father is Nigerian, turned down Team Nigeria when they repeatedly tried to recruit him for their Olympic squad. That team, which includes Penn grad Koko Archibong, will compete in these Games with nine American-born players on its roster. He went on to play for the Golden State Warriors and won three rings in 2015, 2017, and 2018. 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 date of birth is however unknown but he is believed to be in his early 60s considering the age of his son younger Andre (age 38 years). You gotta tip your hat to that, to what they did to us in our home floor. Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a Nigerian father and an African American mother in Illinois. Antony Ressler on Trae Young: 'I don't open the door or close the door to any personnel'. Denver Nuggets snapped up 19-year-old Zeke Nnaji as the 22nd overall pick. This is the first time Nigeria qualified for the Olympics, but with Iguodala aboard, who knows if the team would have made it sooner? His next opportunity to return will be Sunday against the Lakers, although a timetable for his return isn't yet clear. [24] Iguodala averaged 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds on the season. Although the rookie had to adapt to a new culture when he moved from Port Harcourt to the United States in the eighth grade, he knows his upbringing played a vital role in who hes become. The most noteworthy performance of his career came last season when the Phoenix Suns reached the NBA finals, a first for Ayton. He's not going to be able to play",[14] Iguodala used this as motivation in what proved to be a very productive rookie season. The 76ers finished the season at 4042, winning 22 of their last 29 games and earning a playoff spot with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks on April 4. That was the first time that two players born in Nigeria have been picked in the first round of the same draft. Onyeka Okongwu, also born to Nigerian parents, was the sixth overall pick selected by Atlanta Hawks. [26] He officially signed on August 17, 2008. What development first really means. Everything you need to know about the Warriors' championship rings, Warriors vet Iguodala returning for 19th season, They said it! The award however was given to Nate Robinson,[20] in a controversial decision,[21][22][23] as Robinson had missed 14 straight dunk attempts before hitting his final one. The next Basketball Without Borders trip that is in Nigeria, I want to be a part of that one.. He has said, "Faith is something I heavily lean on to give me that balance. In 2015 he received the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Iguodala had a poor playoffs series, averaging 13 points per game. The 21-year-old centre is the second Nigeria-born player on the list and was discovered by Raptors, a Lagos-based basketball academy (not affiliated to NBA team, Toronto Raptors). Per the Philly Inquirer: "Iguodala's father is. In his rookie year, Ayton posted noteworthy numbers by averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. During the season, he averaged 9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 32.8 minutes per game. [5][8][9] As a senior in 2002, Iguodala led Lanphier's basketball team to a runner-up finish at the Illinois High School Association Class AA state tournament. Isaac Okoro was fifth overall pick and has been chosen by Cleveland Cavaliers. Antony Ressler: We just elevated Landry, elevated Kyle and we brought in a world-class coach (Quin Snyder). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2004 Skybox Autographics #76 /750 - ANDRE IGUODALA - PSA 9 - Rookie Year at the best online prices at eBay! In acknowledgment of the players of Nigerian Origin's impact on the NBA, this list is a chronicle of the best such active players. In their conference finals match-up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Iguodala helped the Warriors fight back from a 31 deficit in the series to win clinch a 43 victory. With Iguodala now averaging 40.3 minutes per game, he led the Sixers on a late-season run, finishing the rest of the season 2621 and almost clinching the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, although their late run came more as a result of other teams "tanking" to secure a higher draft pick. He was raised in Springfield, Illinois, a city in the United States. Veteran Turns Wisdom Into Wins, On and Off the Court", "Andre Iguodala joins elite company with sixth straight trip to NBA Finals", "Heat decline Iguodala option, pick up Dragic's", "Warriors Sign 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala", "Warriors' Andre Iguodala: Available versus OKC", "Warriors' Andre Iguodala: Available out of nowhere", "Golden State Warriors veteran forward Andre Iguodala returning for 19th NBA season", "Andre Iguodala will make season debut vs. Magic; Andrew Wiggins to return to lineup on minutes restriction", "USA Basketball finalizes 2012 London Olympics 12-man roster", "Andre Iguodala -- In Court for Baby Mama Showdown Where's My Money Going? [52] The Warriors went on to defeat the Rockets in five games. 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. During the 2011 NBA lockout, Iguodala had a week-long internship with Merrill Lynch.[28]. Theres a lot of talent in Africa, Achiuwa said. Born to Nigerian immigrants, Giannis is from Greece. [46] He finished the series averaging 16.3 points, 4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. His older brother, Frank, played for Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, and Dayton. American Basketball star. 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. Join us in wishing @DeandreAyton of the @Suns a HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY! Were a lot further than we were three, four years ago. He helped the Philadelphia 76ers clinch the final seed in the playoffs. After the 202021 season, the Heat did not exercise their $15 million option of Iguodala's contract for the 202122 season, making him a free agent.[86]. [71] The Warriors returned to the NBA Finals for the fifth straight season, but lost in six games to the Toronto Raptors. With Golden State down 21 in the series, Iguodala made his first start of the season, replacing center Andrew Bogut in Game 4. Nigeria, Olympics, USA Basketball, Uncategorized, Nigeria, Olympics, USA Basketball, Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers, Team USA, Top Rumors, Antony Ressler, Trade, Kyle Korver, Landry Fields, Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Antony Ressler, Free Agency, Quin Snyder, Trade, Uncategorized, Antony Ressler, Free Agency, Quin Snyder, Trade, Kyle Korver, Landry Fields, Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic: If you watch that game [vs Grizzlies] and you say hes a negative defender or a poor defender, Id like you to pee in a cup, OK? pic.twitter.com/MVUTnwDeju, Michael Malone, Ja Morant, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Jimmy Butler on Julius Randles winning three-pointer: He had been making those shots all game, man. Antony Ressler: Landry and Kyle are trying to create strongly what it means to be a Hawk. During the season, Iguodala was hampered by an Achilles injury, leading to career lows in games played and started, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and steals per game as the 76ers finished with a 4141 record. And at around the age of 16, Adebayo felt compelled to delve more into his Nigerian roots. He still calls this house home now. Founded in Lagos,Nigeria in 2013, Jumia is the African version of Amazon. Philadelphia was set to face the No. 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. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. The annual draft sees NBA teams choose from the world's best young talent. Iguodala averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the regular season. 2 seed Detroit. I feel quick. Two of them, Precious Achiuwa, picked by the Miami Heat, and Udoka Azubuike, picked by Utah Jazz. ", "Analysis: Memphis Grizzlies betting on quality return for Andre Iguodala", "The opportunity cost of trading Andre Iguodala mapping out a decision timeline", "Grizzlies' Ja Morant fires back as Steph Curry defends Andre Iguodala", "Heat Acquire Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder & Solomon Hill", "An N.B.A. [57] On March 13, 2017, he was fined $10,000 by the NBA for using racially intemperate language in an interview following the Warriors' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 10. "You know, I feel like I bring a mature approach. During the 2017 championship run, he further established his legacy as one of the NBAs premier players. It doesnt even do it justice. There have been a few things that Ive invested in that are no longer operating, but Ive learned so much through them. He was a member of the United States national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal both times. He put up 11 points in an 8475 loss, and received a mixed response from the crowd. Landry has referenced the need for accountability. Thats something that theyve talked about, having a Team Nigeria in Miami, and I think its cool, Erik Spoelstra said. Victory. Iguodala entered the 2017 off-season as a free agent and held meetings with numerous competing teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets. 200809 season: Leading the NBA in minutes, 200910 season: Reunion with Allen Iverson, 201011 season: All-Defensive Second Team, 201415 season: First NBA championship and Finals MVP, 201516 season: Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, 201819 season: Fifth NBA Finals appearance, 201920 season: Sixth NBA Finals appearance, 2010 FIBA World Championship Gold medal, List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, "Andre Iguodala voted first VP of National Basketball Players Association", "Player Bio: Andre Iguodala University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site", "Looking into the life of the Sixers' Andre Iguodala", "Operating on the Hardwood- Andre Iguodala to Arkansas", "Inside the free-agency frenzy that almost cost the Warriors a Finals MVP", "Dick Vitale - Some declaring for draft are making a mistake", "Robinson wins dunkfest amid controversy", "Robinson rises above Slam-Dunk competition", "Emeka Okafor Named 2004-05 NBA got milk? A total of eight players with Nigerian heritage were picked during Wednesday night's NBA draft for the 2020-21 season. Previously with the 3-time NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Iguodala was drafted into the NBA in 2004. [74][75], On July 7, 2019, Golden State traded Iguodala along with a protected first-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Julian Washburn. It made me who I am, and its pretty much the foundation of who I am today, Achiuwa said. At Lanphier he did well academically and athletically; he won All-Conference academic honors, was on the National Honor Roll, was a State Journal-Register Student-Athlete of the Week several times,[7] and gained three letters in track for the high jump. He replaced LeBron James in that role. American Basketball star Andre Iguodala , a notable tech investor and board member of Jumia Group, recently visited Nigeria his country of descent to engage . After Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets and Chris Webber was released, Iguodala would have to get accustomed to his new leadership role with the 76ers. For his defensive contributions to the Warriors, Iguodala was named to the 2014 All-NBA Defensive first team. Read about our approach to external linking. Is every player on the table when it comes to potential change, including Trae Young? And then with other companies, I am doing very well. The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. Be the first one to comment on this story. [35] Getting the inbound pass from Klay Thompson, Iguodala turned and made the fade-away jump shot over the Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha. [65][66] The Warriors went on to win their third championship in four years with a sweep of the Cavaliers. The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. Andre Iguodala will return to play his 19th season in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, the veteran announced on his "Point Forward" podcast Friday morning. Later that season, he was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve. Victor began his NBA career in 2013 as a second overall draft pick by the Orlando Magic. His father was Nigeria's head coach at the World Cup (now the country's assistant coach) and the duo became the first Nigerian son and father to be part of a Nigerian national team side at the same time. He practices Christianity as his religion. On February 17, 2006, at the Rookie Challenge, Iguodala won MVP honors for his 30-point performance in the Sophomores win. Desmond Bane started playing baseball before he switched to basketball and was the 30th overall pick, drafted by the Boston Celtics, with reports that he will be traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Iguodala (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans. [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.