Emmanuel Nzekwesi

Emmanuel Chukwubuikem Nzekwesi (born September 5, 1997) is a Dutch professional basketball player for Cholet Basket of the French LNB Pro A and the Netherlands. He played college basketball for Oral Roberts.

Emmanuel Nzekwesi
Nzekwesi in January 2020
No. 15 – Cholet Basket
PositionPower forward
LeagueLNB Pro A
Personal information
Born (1997-09-05) September 5, 1997
The Hague, Netherlands
NationalityDutch
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeOral Roberts (2016–2020)
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021ZZ Leiden
2021–2022Mons-Hainaut
2022–2023ESSM Le Portel
2023–presentCholet
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school career

Nzekwesi grew up in The Hague and began playing basketball at the age of two, and his parents enrolled him in lessons at age seven. Before his sophomore season in high school, he moved to Texas and began attending Byron Nelson High School. Nzekwesi scored 22 points without missing a shot against Paul Laurence Dunbar High School during his sophomore season.[1] As a senior, Nzekwesi averaged 19.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.[2] He gained the attention of Damian Lillard's trainer, Phil Beckner, and later, Weber State head coach Randy Rahe. Nzekwesi signed a letter of intent with Weber State, but problems with his visa precluded him from attending the school. He played a postgraduate season at Moravian Prep in Hudson, North Carolina to help attract more scholarship offers. Nzekwesi accepted a scholarship offer from Oral Roberts, which had previously recruited him in high school.[1]

College career

Nzekwesi redshirted his true freshman season at Oral Roberts.[3] As a redshirt freshman, he averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.[4] Nzekwesi was named Summit League freshman of the year, though Oral Roberts won eight games. Following the season coach Scott Sutton was fired.[1] Nzekwesi posted 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[4] On January 3, 2019, he scored a career-high 34 points in an 83-72 win against North Dakota.[5] As a junior, Nzekwesi averaged 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.[6] He was named to the Second Team All-Summit League.[7] During Nzekwesi's senior season, he missed seven games with different injuries. He averaged 16.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a senior. Nzekwesi was named to the First Team All-Summit League as well as team MVP by the Tulsa World.[8]

Professional career

ZZ Leiden

On August 13, 2020, Nzekwesi signed his first professional contract with ZZ Leiden of the Dutch Basketball League (DBL).[9] He made his professional debut on October 3, recording a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds in a 104-102 loss to the Den Helder Suns.[10]

Nzekwesi finished the regular season having led Leiden to the first seed, while leading the league in scoring with 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. On 24 April 2021, Nzekwesi won the DBL Most Valuable Player award.[11] He broke records for the most awards won by a player ever, as he was also named Rookie of the Year and Statistical Player of the Year while also being on the All-Star Team, All-Defense Team and All-Rookie Team.[12] In the Statistical Player of the Year ranking, he broke an all-time record with an efficiency rating of 26.4.[13] He also won the DBL championship with Leiden on 27 May, after sweeping Heroes Den Bosch in the finals.[14]

Mons-Hainaut

On 19 July 2021, Nzekwesi signed a one-year contract with Belgian club Belfius Mons-Hainaut.[15] In the 2021 offseason, Nzekwesi played in the 2021 NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns.[16] He came second in the voting for the BNXT League Most Valuable Player award, behind winner Levi Randolph.[17]

ESSM Le Portel

On June 4, 2022, he has signed with ESSM Le Portel of the LNB Pro A.[18]

Cholet Basket

On June 27, 2023, he signed with Cholet Basket of the French LNB Pro A.[19]

National team career

In July 2017, Nzekwesi was named to the Dutch national team at the FIBA U20 European Championship Division B.[20] He averaged 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.[21]

In November 2020, Nzekwesi was selected for the Dutch senior team for the first time.[22]

Personal life

Nzekwesi is the son of Chioma and Emmanuel Nzekwesi. He has a wife, Tatum. Nzekwesi is a member of Transformation Church and has led athletic chapel.[1]

References
  1. Pfeifer, Ben (May 22, 2020). "A promise kept and a promise made: How family shapes Emmanuel Nzekwesi". Rookie Wire. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  2. Johnson, Ben (October 28, 2016). "ORU basketball media day: Move from Netherlands to U.S. helps bring Emmanuel Nzekwesi to ORU". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  3. Gregory, Dekota (February 17, 2020). "ORU basketball: Golden Eagles seal first winning record in 5 years with victory against Western Illinois". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  4. Johnson, Ben (November 2, 2018). "Oral Roberts men's basketball season preview: Three storylines and three players to watch". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  5. "Nzekwesi, Obanor lead Oral Roberts past North Dakota 83-72". ESPN. Associated Press. January 3, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  6. Gregory, Dekota (November 12, 2019). "Tulsa 74, Oral Roberts 67: ORU hindered by Emmanuel Nzekwesi foul trouble". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  7. "MBB: Coyotes picked second in Summit League poll". Dakota News Now. October 8, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  8. Gregory, Dekota (March 26, 2020). "ORU basketball season in review: The MVP. The highs and lows. What to look for next season". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  9. Carchia, Emiliano (August 13, 2020). "ZZ Leiden signs Emmanuel Nzekwesi". Sportando. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  10. "Den Helder Suns - Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden (start competitie)". ZZ Leiden (in Dutch). October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  11. "Historische mega-prijzenoogst voor Nzekwesi". Dutch Basketball League (in Dutch). 23 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  12. "Historische mega-prijzenoogst voor Nzekwesi". Dutch Basketball League (in Dutch). 23 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  13. "Hoogste cijfers voor Nzekwesi, Hollanders en Speelman". Dutch Basketball League (in Dutch). 24 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  14. "Ongenaakbaar ZZ Leiden landskampioen basketbal". Omroep West (in Dutch). 27 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  15. "Effectif 2021-22: Emmanuel Nzekwesi signe pour une saison à Belfius Mons-Hainaut! - Belfius Mons-Hainaut" (in French). Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  16. "Phoenix Suns release 2021 Vegas Summer League roster". Arizona Sports. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  17. "Historic first Award night for betFIRST BNXT League". BNXT League. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  18. Lupo, Nicola (June 4, 2022). "ESSM Le Portel announces deal with Emmanuel Nzekwesi". Sportando. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  19. "Emmanuel Nzekwesi du Portel à Cholet". cholet-basket.com (in French). June 27, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  20. "ORU's Emmanuel Nzekwesi Selected For Dutch National Team". News on 6. May 4, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  21. "Emmanuel Chukwubuikem NZEKWESI". FIBA. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  22. "SELECTIE". Basketball.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved November 28, 2020.
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