He is very close to his parents and his parents also supported him in every phase of his life. [77][78] Afterwards, the Warriors stated that they planned to eventually retire Iguodala's No. [93], In August 2015, Iguodala married his childhood sweetheart, Christina Gutierrez, at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico. The two have also invested in at least 25 different startups in the technology industry. [102], Iguodala is a tech investor and a leading advocate for athletes in the NBA to invest in the technology industry. Mr. 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.. BBC Sport Africa has been finding out about all eight of the players set to be the stars of the future. Do you believe significant roster changes might be necessary after this season? His father is Nigerian, while his mother is African American. !@Giannis_An34 @Paschketball pic.twitter.com/kxLuUoXP0A. From China to the United States and everywhere in between, basketball (and in turn the NBA) has grown immensely over the years. He said: Were not enough. 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.. [46][47], On November 11, 2015, Iguodala scored a season-high 20 points against the Memphis Grizzlies to help the Warriors begin the season 90. Remember I wrote that it has an Igbo meaning but I'm not sure whether its an Igbo name. You learn to balance your portfolio. Onyeka Okongwu, also born to Nigerian parents, was the sixth overall pick selected by Atlanta Hawks. [59] Following a 129115 victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals over the Spurs, the Warriors reached their third straight NBA Finals series while becoming the first team in league history to start the playoffs 120. On February 17, 2006, at the Rookie Challenge, Iguodala won MVP honors for his 30-point performance in the Sophomores win. Iguodalas father is Nigerian. He has since performed phenomenally for his team. Between Jan. 18 and March 31 of last year, Iguodala played in just two games. Youll never hear a bad thing said about Russell Westbrook from anyone in this league thats played against him or with him., Faced with the internal revolt, Tony Parker is now backing away from the idea to sell the majority shares in the LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne organization, Ja Morant was allegedly seen showing off a gun in his IG Live this morning. The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. Aside winning several laurels as an NBA star, Iguodala is also a tech-investor and a leading advocate for athletes in the NBA to invest in the technology industry. "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.". Miami Heat may well get a few more fans in Nigeria as Achiuwa will join four others at the team who have Nigerian heritage - Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, Chikezie 'KZ' Okpala and Gabe Vincent. He can knock down mid-range jumpers, floaters and fadeaways to score in contests making him a lethal scorer. He drives to the ring with great speed and regularly dunks without holding back. Iguodala told . It was a grind, to be honest. 2 seed Detroit. pic.twitter.com/xBfn4VKGBm. 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. The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. Last season, Iguodala played just 31 games during the regular season. His high-flying leap and freakishly strong frame put him at second number on this list. Iguodala was a member of the United States national team in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, winning the gold medal. For his defensive contributions to the Warriors, Iguodala was named to the 2014 All-NBA Defensive first team. And then as I continued to play better, as we went to Nigeria, we were able to interact with our people and be back home as we would call it, and it was just an eye-opening experience, Vincent said. [29] At the end of the 201112 NBA season, Iguodala averaged 12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.7 spg in 35.6 mpg. Im proud of where Im from. The National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Andre Iguodala has joined Jumia's board of directors. Iguodala has played in six NBA finals, out of which five were with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Miami Heat. Its just one of those random occurrences, but it shows you how much basketball has grown. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Bernard Mensah | Meet the Ghanaian-born CEO of Merrill Lynch International, Bank of Americas largest International subsidiary, Barak Jacuzzi: 5 quick facts to know about the Kenyan-American rapper, Ghanaian-born Stephen Osei explains how his life is the American Dream, Tashitaa Tufaa | Meet the Ethiopian who started as a dishwasher but now owns 300 buses in Minneapolis, Adenah Bayoh: The Liberian-born real estate millionaire who is one of the largest employers in Irvinton, New Jersey. Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Iguodala was listed as the No. He was born to Nigerian parents who are pentecostal ministers in Minnesota, with his father Francis a former table tennis player for Nigeria. His decision to remain away from the team drew backlash from teammates, notably Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant, who criticized his refusal to play as disrespectful. The objective of the event is to help startups understand what they need to do to attract investment. Iguodala joined Jumia as an ambassador and a board member. Precious Achiuwa, who is one of two players born and raised in Nigeria, was the 20th overall pick and was picked by Miami Heat. At the time of Webber's release, the Sixers were 926 (Iverson only played 15 games before he was traded). He has won four NBA championships with the Warriors and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015. Per the Philly Inquirer: Iguodalas father is Nigerian. A four-time NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors and one of the leaders of the . Getty Images. So he was invited to try out for and in this case, try out for means make the Nigerian Olympic squad. [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. 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). The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. The 76ers were eventually defeated in 5 games. We tend to hop on what is trending at the moment. Im thrilled to be a part of this unique enterprise that is shaping the future of digital Africa., His affirmation was also rechoed by Jumia co-founder Sacha Poignonne who said: Having Andre join our board sends the world the message that Africa has successful companies and great entrepreneurs, and that athletes can play a key role in contributing to their success.. Free shipping for many products! You want to play hard for someone who died for you.. That was just an E-Trade investment. "I've been working a lot during these quarantine times, and I feel like I've made a lot of improvements," Nnaji explained. Precious Achiuwa was born in the country, while Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent have one or both parents from Nigeria originally. Andre Iguodala, an 18-year veteran of the NBA, has made his mark as one of the league's premier players. He can pivot and spin around defenders for easy floaters or reach out for in-traffic dunks. Basketballers from every corner of the planet dream of playing in the league one day. He had previously served as vice-president of the NBPA executive committee starting in 2013. Aside winning several laurels as an NBA star, Iguodala is also a tech-investor and a. #NBABDAY #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/X4xCz3NFvr. The second edition saw other athletes from the NBA like Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown make debuts. Though he made the team after sinking a game-winning three against Poland in the 2019 Peak Tournament, it wasnt all smooth sailing. Were a lot further than we were three, four years ago. Iggy is currently playing for Miami Heat. [34] On November 14, Iguodala made the game-winning, buzzer-beating shot in the Warriors' 116115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He returned to the Warriors in 2021 and won his fourth NBA championship the same season. He has an older. Iguodala was picked up in the 2004 NBA drafts by the Philadelphia 76ers. In the playoffs, Iguodala had the assignment of guarding James and Dwyane Wade in the first round. They kept him on their 15-man opening day roster instead of buying out the 35-year-old veteran, who was earning $17 million in the last year of his contract. 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! His older brother, Frank, played for Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, and Dayton. It was an amazing experience, man. 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. Jim, we did it baby! In July 2013, Iguodala declined a five-year deal with Denver and agreed to a four-year for a reported $48 million with the Golden State Warriors. [67] In a sign of respect towards their opponent and with an increased urgency, Kerr opened the conference semifinals against Houston by moving Iguodala from the bench and starting their Hamptons Five lineup for the first time in the season. Im glad he played well, but Im glad we got the win. It doesnt even do it justice. Deandre Ayton averaged 15.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and registered a 65.8 field goal percentage. [37] When playing against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 23, 2013, Iguodala strained his left hamstring late in the third quarter. [4] His mother is African American, while his father is Nigerian. Antony Ressler on Trae Young: 'I don't open the door or close the door to any personnel'. 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. Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois on January 28, 1984. "I want to win a championship. Iguodala played 19.5 minutes over only 31 games last season because of an array of injuries from a bulging disk in his lower back, a neck injury and a knee that required draining multiple times. for $3.6 million. Sadness. He practices Christianity as his religion. 8 years ago today. [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. Ive never been there. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Since entering the NBA, Iguodala had played in 806 games as a starter without entering a game as a reserve, a league high over that span. Andre Iguodala found himself in recent months in discussions with his few N.B.A. Its no secret that basketball is a global sport. A lot of companies were in this area. 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. Bam Adebayo, simply put, has no regard for the basket. He plays like a typical center, his strong fundamentals help him score. He is a Nigerian who migrated to the capital of the United Stage, Springfield, Illinois. He is an American professional basketball . The 6' 11" center plays in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns. Andre Iguodala, whose father is Nigerian, turned down Team Nigeria when they repeatedly tried to recruit him for their Olympic squad. 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. They got one. pic.twitter.com/Z8dJNufBYr, Jimmy Butler, Julius Randle, Miami Heat, New York Knicks. His father is Nigerian, while his mother is of African American origin. 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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. [85], Iguodala continued with the Miami Heat in a bench-role for the 202021 season. In his NBA finals run, Adebayo put up unbelievable numbers in the playoffs for a second-year-player. Iguodala also expressed his observation that there are not enough black athletes involved in tech investments. [58] The Warriors finished the season as the first seed in the West with a 6715 record. I didn't think I'd be able to play at a level like Louisville," he said before the draft. The 21-year-old, 6ft 10 centre looks set to end up at the LA Clippers after he was originally picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who immediately traded him the New York Knicks before being moved on again. On his 28th birthday, Iguodala recorded a 10-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double effort in a win over the Pistons. After earning first-team all-conference honors in the Pac-10 (known now as the Pac-12) as a sophomore in 2004, he was selected in the 2004 NBA draft with the ninth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. 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. He had been making those shots all game, man. He played in a tournament put together at the NBA 2K10 launch party in New York City against other NBA players Nate Robinson, Brook Lopez and Rajon Rondo, and rapper Wale. Be the first one to comment on this story. [24] Iguodala averaged 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds on the season. On defense, Oladipo can guard all around his court. For other guys like Vincent and Achiuwa, it was a bit different. Iguodala attended high school at Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois, a school that produced other notable athletes, including baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and basketball guard Kevin Gamble. "A defensive specialist, that's mostly what I did at Kansas. They were eventually eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a thrilling seven games in the Conference Semifinals. 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. 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? 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.