Joe Ikhinmwin

Joseph "Joe" Blessing Ikhinmwin[2] (born 18 September 1987[2]) is a former British professional basketball player, who last played for the London Lions of the British Basketball League (BBL).[3][4]

Joseph Ikhinmwin
Personal information
Born (1987-09-18) 18 September 1987
London, England
NationalityBritish
Listed height198[1] cm (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight100[1] kg (220 lb)
Career information
High schoolBarking Abbey Basketball Academy
College
NBA draft2012: undrafted
Playing career2012–2021
PositionSmall forward
Career history
2012–2013Newcastle Eagles
2013–2021London Lions
Career highlights and awards
  • BBL Trophy Dunk Champion (2014)
  • Betway British Basketball All-Stars Championship (2017)

Biography

Early life

Ikhinmwin began playing basketball at the age of 14.[5] He started his career at East London Royals Junior program based in Whitechapel under the supervision of Humphrey Long and the Late Chris Morgan.[6]

High school career

In 2006 he entered Barking Abbey Basketball Academy,[6] started playing for the Great Britain U20 team and became the team captain in 2007.[7][8] In 2006-2007 he played for the London Leopards.[9][10]

College career

After graduating from Barking Abbey School sixth form he left Britain to study at Seminole State College in Oklahoma, where he played from 2008 to 2010 for the "Seminole State Trojans" (NJCAA).[11] He sat out his first year due to a back injury but showed good performance in the last two seasons and transferred to NCAA South Carolina State Bulldogs in the MEAC for the 2010–2012 seasons[12][13][11] where he averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds per game.[14]

Professional career

Ikhinmwin played his rookie season in 2012/2013 as a member of Newcastle Eagles and finished with runners-up medals in the BBL regular season, play-offs and Cup[15] before leaving the team and signing to his hometown.

He started his London Lions career in September 2013. Over the first year he played multiple positions averaging just over 8 points and 4 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the floor.[16]

On 31 March 2014 Ikhinmwin won the 2014 BBL Trophy Slam Dunk contest in Glasgow's Emirates Arena at the BBL Trophy Finals.[17] On the same day he represented the England team at an International Friendly against Scotland and scored 15 points.[18]

In September 2014 his contract with Lions has been signed for another 2 years[16] but was pulled off after 2 months.[19] Joe re-established his contract and returned to Lions in December 2014.

2014/2015 season was a real comeback for the Lions, the team had made it to the BBL Play-Off final in May 2015 but lost to the Newcastle Eagles.[20] In July 2015 Ikhinmwin became Lions’ team captain.[21] In November 2015 Ikhinmwin's contribution helped the Lions in the game against Worcester Wolves earn a place in the semi-finals of the Cup.[22]

In August 2017 he renewed his contract with the Lions for the next 2 seasons.[3] In September 2017 Ikhinmwin captained the Lions to their first national championship (Betway British Basketball All-Stars) since making the move from Milton Keynes to London.[23] He re-signed with the Lions on 14 July 2020.[24]

On 19 August 2021, Ikhinmwin announced his retirement from professional basketball.[25]

Charity involvement

Ikhinmwin supports a number of charity projects, being a GLL supported athlete and the ambassador of the GLL Sport Foundation,[26] All Sports for Schools fund[5] and London Sports Trust "Bounce for Change" initiative.[27]

References
  1. "Joe Ikhinmwin basketball profile". Eurobasket.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  2. "Great Britain: 7 - Joseph Blessing Ikhinmwin". FIBA. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  3. Jacob Ranson (1 August 2017). "London Lions re-sign captain Joe Ikhinmwin". Newham Recorder. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  4. Niall Gray (14 November 2016). "London Lions star Joe Ikhinmwin: We must improve defensive game to reach BBL Final". Daily Express. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  5. "All Sports for Schools athletes have represented Great Britain or Ireland at the highest level in various Olympic disciplines". sportsforschools.org. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  6. "Not Your Average 'Joe': Joseph Ikhinmwin". reachandteach.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  7. "Frequently Asked Questions: Barking Abbey Regional Institute of Basketball" (PDF). gbbasketball.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  8. "Ikhinmwin re-signs at London Lions". Eurobasket.com. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  9. Alan Sweetman-Hicks (7 February 2007). "London Leopards 104 Worthing Thunder 111 (League, Feb 3 2007)". worthingherald.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  10. "Leopards urge fans to turn out in force". Hertfordshire Mercury. 4 February 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  11. "Joe Ikhinmwin F #7". basketball.realgm.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  12. Dan Clark (24 July 2010). "National call-up for former Leopards". brentwoodlive.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  13. Sam Neter (29 April 2010). "Joe Ikhinmwin Signs to South Carolina State". hoopsfix.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  14. "Joe Ikhinmwin". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  15. "London Calling For Joe". British Basketball League. 21 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  16. "Basketball Ace Loving Life With The London Lions". The Voice. 19 September 2015. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  17. "Joe Ikhinmwin DESTROYS Trophy Dunk Contest". ukamericansportsfans.com. 31 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  18. "Lions Bolster England Select International Friendly". londonlionsbasketball.co.uk. 31 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  19. Mark Woods (19 November 2014). "Joe fuming at Lions exit". mvp247.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  20. Rob Dugdale (10 May 2015). "BBL Play-Off final: Newcastle Eagles v London Lions". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  21. "London Lions gear up for new season". East London News. 31 July 2015. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  22. Niall Gray (9 November 2015). "Joe Ikhinmwin hoping London Lions' win at Worcester Wolves can pave the way for silverware". Daily Express. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  23. "London Lions win Betway British Basketball All-Stars Championship". British Basketball League. 24 September 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  24. "London Lions keep captain Joe Ikhinmwin". Sportando. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  25. "Joe Ikhinmwin announces retirement from professional basketball". hoopsfix.com. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  26. "GLL Sport Foundation supports record number of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park talented athletes". GLL Sport Foundation. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  27. "Joe iCANWIN Is London Sports Trust new Ambassador". London Sport Trust. 22 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
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