Ike Diogu
Encyclopedia
Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, referred to as Ike Diogu (born September 11, 1983), is an Nigeria
n American professional basketball
player who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers
.
, moved to the U.S. in 1980 to pursue further education. They later moved from Buffalo, New York
, where he was born, to Garland, Texas
. Ike attended Austin Academy middle school, then enrolled at Garland High School
. Diogu is a member of the Igbo ethnic group
.
, but he makes up for his lack of height with his muscle, girth and 7'4" wingspan.
Diogu attended Arizona State University
, where he excelled on the team under head coach Rob Evans
. He garnered several honors, both in the Pac-10 Conference and nationally. He won PAC-10 Freshman of the Year, and then PAC-10 Player of the Year in his final season with ASU, as a Junior. Many in the public speculated that Diogu would enter the draft after playing for his third season with Arizona State. On June 21, 2005, he made the decision to enter the NBA draft.
by the Golden State Warriors
. On December 23, 2005, he recorded a professional career-best 27 points on 13–15 shooting, surpassing his previous best by 12 points.
called the "gem" of the deal, was traded to the Indiana Pacers
along with teammates Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
, Troy Murphy
, and Keith McLeod
for Stephen Jackson
, Al Harrington
, Sarunas Jasikevicius
, and Josh Powell
.
), Diogu was traded by Indiana to the Portland Trail Blazers
along with the draft rights to Jerryd Bayless
in exchange for Jarrett Jack
, Josh McRoberts
and the draft rights to Brandon Rush
to the Indiana Pacers
.
for the Chicago Bulls
' Michael Ruffin
on February 18, 2009.
on September 27, 2010, becoming a member of their preseason roster. On October 20, 2010, Diogu was waived by the Pistons.
signed Diogu as a free agent on December 22, 2010.
On February 8, 2011, Diogu scored a season-high 18 points against the Orlando Magic.
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Golden State
| 69 || 14 || 14.9 || .524 || .000 || .810 || 3.3 || .4 || .2 || .4 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Golden State
| 17 || 0 || 13.1 || .530 || .000 || .795 || 3.7 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Indiana
| 42 || 2 || 12.8 || .454 || .000 || .802 || 3.3 || .5 || .1 || .4 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Indiana
| 30 || 1 || 10.2 || .478 || .000 || .851 || 2.8 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 5.6
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Portland
| 19 || 0 || 3.8 || .316 || .000 || .750 || .9 || .0 || .1 || .1 || 1.4
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 10 || 1 || 14.2 || .600 || .500 || .758 || 3.9 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 36 || 0 || 13.1 || .561 || .000 || .661 || 3.2 || .1 || .1 || .1 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 223 || 18 || 12.5 || .510 || .500 || .785 || 3.1 || .3 || .2 || .3 || 6.0
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n American professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Family and early life
Diogu's parents, natives of NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, moved to the U.S. in 1980 to pursue further education. They later moved from Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, where he was born, to Garland, Texas
Garland, Texas
-Climate:* The average warmest month is July.* The highest recorded temperature was in 2000.* On average, the coolest month is January.* The lowest recorded temperature was in 1989.* The maximum average precipitation occurs in May....
. Ike attended Austin Academy middle school, then enrolled at Garland High School
Garland High School
Garland High School is a public secondary school located in Dallas, Texas . Garland High School enrolls students in grades 9-12 and is a part of the Garland Independent School District. The school is a member of the AP program, the IB program, and is known for its football team, the Garland...
. Diogu is a member of the Igbo ethnic group
Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
.
College career
Diogu stands at 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall which is considered slightly undersized for an NBA power forwardPower forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
, but he makes up for his lack of height with his muscle, girth and 7'4" wingspan.
Diogu attended Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, where he excelled on the team under head coach Rob Evans
Rob Evans
Robert Oran Evans is an American college basketball coach. He served as head coach at the University of Mississippi from 1992 to 1998, and as the head coach of Arizona State University from 1998 to 2006. He is a current assistant coach for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.Evans was...
. He garnered several honors, both in the Pac-10 Conference and nationally. He won PAC-10 Freshman of the Year, and then PAC-10 Player of the Year in his final season with ASU, as a Junior. Many in the public speculated that Diogu would enter the draft after playing for his third season with Arizona State. On June 21, 2005, he made the decision to enter the NBA draft.
Golden State Warriors
Diogu was selected 9th overall in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
by the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. On December 23, 2005, he recorded a professional career-best 27 points on 13–15 shooting, surpassing his previous best by 12 points.
Indiana Pacers
On January 17, 2007, Diogu, whom Larry BirdLarry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
called the "gem" of the deal, was traded to the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
along with teammates Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
Michael Joseph "Mike" Dunleavy, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association...
, Troy Murphy
Troy Murphy
Troy Brandon Murphy is an American professional basketball power forward who last played with the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Murphy was born in Morristown, New Jersey but grew up in Sparta Township located in northwest New Jersey...
, and Keith McLeod
Keith McLeod
Keith McLeod is an American professional basketball player, who plays point guard for the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League. He is 6' 2" tall...
for Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jesse Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Jackson is a 6'8" guard-forward.-Early life, high school, and college:Jackson was born in Houston and grew up in Port Arthur, Texas...
, Al Harrington
Al Harrington
Albert "Al" Harrington is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the NBA's Denver Nuggets...
, Sarunas Jasikevicius
Šarunas Jasikevicius
Šarūnas Jasikevičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who plays for Panathinaikos BC. He is a member of the Lithuanian national team, and plays the point guard position.-Early years:...
, and Josh Powell
Josh Powell
Josh Powell is an American professional basketball player.-Early life:While playing at NC State, Powell averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg in his sophomore year . He was not selected in the 2003 NBA Draft and played in Europe...
.
Portland Trail Blazers
On June 26, 2008 (draft night2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
), Diogu was traded by Indiana to the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
along with the draft rights to Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless is an American basketball player for the Toronto Raptors. He played a year of college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats after playing high school basketball at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, where he scored a career high of 52 points in a loss to eventual state champions,...
in exchange for Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Matthew Jack is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA. At 6' 3" tall and weighing 197 lbs , he primarily plays at the guard position...
, Josh McRoberts
Josh McRoberts
Joshua Scott McRoberts is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's Indiana Pacers. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft...
and the draft rights to Brandon Rush
Brandon Rush
Brandon Leray Rush is an American basketball player. On July 15, 2008, Rush signed a contract to play basketball for the Indiana Pacers. He was drafted in 2008 by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Rush played for the University of Kansas in college for three seasons, including the 2007–2008...
to the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Sacramento Kings
Diogu was traded to the Sacramento KingsSacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
for the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
' Michael Ruffin
Michael Ruffin
Michael David Ruffin is an American professional basketball player who plays for Obradoiro CAB in Spain. At 6'8" and 248 lbs, he plays as a forward/center....
on February 18, 2009.
New Orleans Hornets
Diogu signed with the New Orleans Hornets on July 29, 2009, but never appeared in a game for the team.Detroit Pistons
He signed with the Detroit PistonsDetroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
on September 27, 2010, becoming a member of their preseason roster. On October 20, 2010, Diogu was waived by the Pistons.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
signed Diogu as a free agent on December 22, 2010.
On February 8, 2011, Diogu scored a season-high 18 points against the Orlando Magic.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Golden State
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 69 || 14 || 14.9 || .524 || .000 || .810 || 3.3 || .4 || .2 || .4 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Golden State
| 17 || 0 || 13.1 || .530 || .000 || .795 || 3.7 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Indiana
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 42 || 2 || 12.8 || .454 || .000 || .802 || 3.3 || .5 || .1 || .4 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Indiana
| 30 || 1 || 10.2 || .478 || .000 || .851 || 2.8 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 5.6
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
| 19 || 0 || 3.8 || .316 || .000 || .750 || .9 || .0 || .1 || .1 || 1.4
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 10 || 1 || 14.2 || .600 || .500 || .758 || 3.9 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 36 || 0 || 13.1 || .561 || .000 || .661 || 3.2 || .1 || .1 || .1 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 223 || 18 || 12.5 || .510 || .500 || .785 || 3.1 || .3 || .2 || .3 || 6.0