Ike Nwankwo
Encyclopedia
Ikenna Nwankwo (born 27 December 1973 in Houston, Texas
) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball
player.
, Nwankwo won a national championship on the 1994-1995 UCLA squad. Nwankwo has also played on 4 continents since graduation. He graduated from UCLA in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication
with the Cocodrilos De Caracas. After a very successful stint where he was the league MVP he then moved to Puerto Rico
where he was an MVP candidate in Puerto Rico, with Quebradillas Pirates
of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) from 1998-1999. In 1998 Nwankwo also played his first season in Turkey
where he would play for the next two seasons. He played with Tuborg where he led the league in rebounds at 10. 1 per game. He returned to Tuborg the following year until a knee injury cut his season short. He then signed in Poland
with Prokom Trefl Sopot
. Nwankwo signed with the Miami Heat
of the NBA in 2000, the following year he signed with the Houston Rockets
. From 2001-2003, Nwankwo played for several European clubs including MBC Dynamo Moscow
of the Russian Superleague
. In 2003 Nwankwo joined the Huntsville Flight
(now Albuquerque Thunderbirds
) of the National Basketball Development League
. 2004 saw Nwankwo return to Turkey, where he played with Darüşşafaka S.K.
of the Turkish Basketball League
(TBL
). Since 2005, Nwankwo has played in the Portuguese Basketball League (LCB)
(2005 with CAB Madeira
and since 2006 with CA Queluz
.
(2000), Houston Rockets
(2001), Cleveland Cavaliers
(2002) and the Los Angeles Lakers
(2004) seasons.
at the FIBA Africa Championship 2003
and 2006 FIBA World Championship
.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) is a Nigerian-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.
Collegiate career
A former UCLA BruinUCLA Bruins men's basketball
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,...
, Nwankwo won a national championship on the 1994-1995 UCLA squad. Nwankwo has also played on 4 continents since graduation. He graduated from UCLA in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Professional career
Nwankwo began his professional career in VenezuelaVenezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
with the Cocodrilos De Caracas. After a very successful stint where he was the league MVP he then moved to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
where he was an MVP candidate in Puerto Rico, with Quebradillas Pirates
Quebradillas Pirates
The Piratas de Quebradillas is a Puerto Rican basketball team, part of the National Superior Basketball League. Founded in the 1930s, it is one of the original teams of the league. The team had its most successful era during the 1970s, when they won 4 championships -including a threepeat- and...
of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) from 1998-1999. In 1998 Nwankwo also played his first season in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
where he would play for the next two seasons. He played with Tuborg where he led the league in rebounds at 10. 1 per game. He returned to Tuborg the following year until a knee injury cut his season short. He then signed in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
with Prokom Trefl Sopot
Prokom Trefl Sopot
Asseco Prokom Gdynia is a Polish professional basketball team, based in Gdynia, Poland. The team plays in the Polish Basketball League and the Euroleague...
. Nwankwo signed with the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
of the NBA in 2000, the following year he signed with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. From 2001-2003, Nwankwo played for several European clubs including MBC Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team from Moscow, Russia.-Early Years:Created in 1923 when Russia was part of the Soviet Union, Dynamo is among the oldest sports clubs in the country. Its name was chosen because Dynamo means 'power in motion'. The club was backed by the...
of the Russian Superleague
Russian Superleague
The Russian Superleague , commonly abbreviated as RSL, was the highest division of the main professional ice hockey league in Russia. It was considered the second best league in the world, after the National Hockey League of North America...
. In 2003 Nwankwo joined the Huntsville Flight
Huntsville Flight
The Huntsville Flight was a National Basketball Development League team based in Huntsville, Alabama. Playing their home games at the Von Braun Center, the Flight was a charter franchise for the 2001-02 season but folded after the 2004-05 season...
(now Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star...
) of the National Basketball Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. 2004 saw Nwankwo return to Turkey, where he played with Darüşşafaka S.K.
Darüssafaka S.K.
Darüşşafaka Cooper Tires, is a professional basketball club based in İstanbul, Turkey that plays in the Turkish Basketball League since 1992-93 season. Their home arena is the Ayhan Sahenk Sport Hall, sometimes called Ayhan Şahenk Arena. The club is sponsored by Çelik Motor a subsidiary of Turkish...
of the Turkish Basketball League
Turkish Basketball League
The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
(TBL
TBL
TBL may refer to:* Tampa Bay Lightning, a professional ice hockey team of the NHL* Tanzania Breweries Limited, a Tanzanian brewery firm owned by South African Breweries* Toronto Blue Jays, a professional baseball team of the MLB's American League...
). Since 2005, Nwankwo has played in the Portuguese Basketball League (LCB)
Portuguese Basketball League (LCB)
The Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol is the top men’s basketball league in Portugal. From the 2008-09 season onwards, the competition will be organized once again by the Federação Portuguesa de Basquetebol after 13 seasons. This was caused by the fold of the LCB, after many years of financial...
(2005 with CAB Madeira
CAB Madeira
CAB Madeira, or Clube Amigos do Basquete to give their full name, is a professional basketball team based in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. It plays in LCB.-Current Squad 2007/08:...
and since 2006 with CA Queluz
CA Queluz
Queluz Sintra Património Mundial is a professional basketball team based in Queluz, Portugal. It plays in LCB.-Achievements:* Portuguese Basketball League: 21983/84, 2004/05* Portuguese Basketball Cup: 21982/83, 2004/05-Current Squad 2006/07:...
.
NBA trials
Nwankwo signed to play with an NBA squad every year from 2000-2004 except 2003, with the Miami HeatMiami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
(2000), Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
(2001), Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
(2002) and the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(2004) seasons.
International career
Although born in the United States, Nwankwo has represented the land of his ancestry, Nigeria, in international competition. He played for NigeriaNigeria national basketball team
The Nigeria national basketball team is the national team of Nigeria and is generally considered one of the best in Africa along with Angola and Senegal. They are ranked 21st in the world FIBA rankings....
at the FIBA Africa Championship 2003
FIBA Africa Championship 2003
The FIBA Africa Championship 2003 was hosted by Egypt from August 7 to August 16, 2003. The games were played in Alexandria. This FIBA Africa Championship was to earn the one berth allocated to Africa for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens...
and 2006 FIBA World Championship
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
.