From soccer to basketball, how Precious Achiuwa found his way into the NBA
Precious Achiuwa left Nigeria at a relatively young age to live with his elder brother in the U.S where he studied and also chased his dream as an athlete.
Here are five things we know about him:
- He started as a football player
It wasn’t until eighth grade when Achiuwa moved to the U.S. that he got into basketball. After playing high school ball in New York and New Jersey, Achiuwa made a name for himself at Montverde Academy just outside Orlando.
2. He grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
The 21-year-old is one of six siblings, he grew up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where his parents, Donatus and Eunice, were ministers in a pentecostal church.
3. His Elder brother God’sgift Achiuwa carved out the path he is now following
God’sgift was the first in the family to play basketball. When he moved to the U.S he played for Erie Community College in Buffalo and also played for St John’s Red Storm men’s basketball of the St. John’s University in New York, for two seasons before graduating in 2014.
He secured a scholarship for Precious to attend Our Saviour Lutheran School in the Bronx and that was how his basketball journey started. His brother opened the door to his career. It is undisputed.
4. Third Nigerian to be drafted in the NBA first round in two decades
On Wednesday November 18, 2020, he was selected No. 20 overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. With the selection, he became the third Nigerian player to be drafted in the first round since 2000, joining Josh Okogie (20th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft) and Festus Ezeli (30th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft).
5. He will be playing for Miami Heat
He was selected No. 20 overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. Achiuwa will get to play with Miami Heat’s team alongside other players of Nigerian origin Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, Chikezie ‘KZ’ Okpala and Gabe Vincent. The NBA describes him as a versatile defender
