)
23-year-old Precious Achiuwa explains his journey from Nigeria to the NBA.
Nigerian professional basketball player Precious Achiuwa has explained why he wants to be respected in the NBA.
Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria Achiuwa is a ley rotational piece for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA.
The 23-year-old in an interview with Slam Magazine revealed his motivation to be successful in the world's biggest basketball league.
Achiuwa's journey to the NBA
Achiuwa in the interview explained his move to New York from Nigeria at the age of 14.
He did not start playing basketball until eighth grade and changed to St Benedict’s Prep in Newark, New Jersey from Our Savior Lutheran School.
He ended his high school basketball setup at the Montverde Academy in Florida. He joined the University of Memphis and after being named AAC Player of the Year in his first year declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Miami Heat took a chance on Achiuwa selecting him as the 20th overall pick in the first round.
)
Achiuwa and respect
In the interview, Achiuwa said his journey to the top is something he questions sometimes.
He said, “I think about it all the time,” he says. “Where I am right now, it makes sense, but it doesn’t make sense. Sometimes I sit and think, How did I end up here?”
Achiuwa represented Nigeria at the men's basketball event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
He continues to acknowledge his Nigerian ancestry as he returned to the country for a four-day camp after the last NBA season.
Achiuwa was included in a trade that saw him move from the Heat to the Raptors.
In the interview, Achiuwa detailed that he knows the responsibility he carries to inspire a new generation of basketball players in Nigeria.
)
He added, “I want to be one of the most respected players in the NBA.
“I’m a role model for the kids back home. It’s given me a different type of fire.”
Achiuwa this season is averaging 8.3 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes per game.
He returns to action for the Toronto Raptors against the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference match-up scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2023.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)