Iguodala averaged a career-high 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game through the 82 games. I didnt necessarily show well early on in the Training Camp process. It was difficult, so just reading what my name comes from, getting the basics down, like really learning like the heritage and where Im from and what tribe.. Iguodala is a Nigerian name borne by people of Edo in South . 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. Theyve been trying to get here for a long time now, Iguodala said. 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. When people see us on the court, we want them to see Gods work. We want to be a good representation of what we believe in When you go out there, youre not just representing your country or the NBA, youre representing your beliefs. Giannis posted his best playoff numbers in his 2021 NBA Championship bid, averaging an incredible 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists. [95][96], Iguodala is a Christian. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Iguodala averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the regular season. 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. In Game 7, Iguodala started in place of Harrison Barnes and again marked Kevin Durant. Ive never really had a chance to experience their culture, only from the outside looking in because of my father.'. He had narrowed down his list of desired schools to two: Kansas or Arkansas. [19] A day later, he participated in the Slam Dunk Contest. 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. I feel quick. The second edition saw other athletes from the NBA like Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown make debuts. [52] The Warriors went on to defeat the Rockets in five games. His return fill's the team's 14th . Iguodala also expressed his observation that there are not enough black athletes involved in tech investments. Antony Ressler: There should be clarity. Eight of the draft picks are players with Nigerian heritage. Iguodala has played in six NBA finals, out of which five were with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Miami Heat. We want to be a good representation of what we believe in. He collected three triple-doubles that season, joining Jason Kidd as the only two players in Pac-10 history to post two or more triple-doubles in a season. "You know, I feel like I bring a mature approach. 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? Oladipo is a multi-dimensional player. Mr. Oguodala is known for his savvy business instincts and has been at the forefront of navigating the worlds of venture capital and technology in the Bay Area. [76] Golden State was eyeing a replacement for Thompson while he recovered from his injury, and the trade freed salary cap space for them to acquire All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade package with the Brooklyn Nets for Durant, who had announced earlier that he planned to sign with the Nets. Hard work, the way you have to handle your business, always working hard, trusting family, just respect, core values and stuff like that.. [103], Together with partner Rudy Cline-Thomas, Iguodala has been able to invest in companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Tesla. During the summer of 2000, Iguodala captured the attention of coaches around the nation as he was named the AAU national tournament Most Valuable Player after hitting the game-winning shot at the final buzzer to give his team the 17-and-under national title. Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Iguodala was listed as the No. His scoring average was the lowest of all the 24 All-Stars, but he was rewarded for being the best player on the 76ers, who were leading the Atlantic Division. The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. [13] However, on July 25, 2017, Iguodala re-signed with the Warriors[62] on a three-year, $48 million contract. Iguodala told . It didnt feel right to me. Iguodala will promote business development and technology in the U.S. on behalf of Lagos-based Jumia, the online marketplace founded in 2012 that sells 6 million products from more than 50,000 . As the owner, what is your level of accountability? [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. [93], In August 2015, Iguodala married his childhood sweetheart, Christina Gutierrez, at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico. Along with his star teammate Jimmy Butler, Adebayo has taken the Florida team to three playoffs, reaching the NBA finals against the LA Lakers in the 2019-20 season. 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. With Iguodala now averaging 40.3 minutes per game, he led the Sixers on a late-season run, finishing the rest of the season 2621 and almost clinching the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, although their late run came more as a result of other teams "tanking" to secure a higher draft pick. In the playoffs, Iguodala had the assignment of guarding James and Dwyane Wade in the first round. If you watch that game [vs Grizzlies] and you say hes a negative defender or a poor defender, Id like you to pee in a cup, OK?. Later that season, he was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve. "It feels great to be the first Nigerian in this draft to be drafted," he said after being picked. [5], As a sophomore in 200304, Iguodala was named team MVP after leading his team in rebounds, assists and steals. He had been making those shots all game, man. Precious Achiuwa, who is one of two players born and raised in Nigeria, was the 20th overall pick and was picked by Miami Heat. He captured the Finals MVP after returning to the starting lineup in the middle of the championship series. Constantly contesting with the help of his exceptional strength and size. In his freshman year, the Wildcats were defeated in the Elite Eight by Kansas. A total of eight players with Nigerian heritage were picked during Wednesday night's NBA draft for the 2020-21 season. Its interesting. [58] The Warriors finished the season as the first seed in the West with a 6715 record. The 19-year-old, who is 6ft 6, was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Nigerian parents and the small forward was part of the USA's winning team at the 2018 Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina. In addition to his numerous basketball achievements, he has found success in the business world with entrepreneurial ventures in technology and e-commerce. Im glad he played well, but Im glad we got the win. Of course I take responsibility. Iggy is currently playing for Miami Heat. Iguodala was picked up in the 2004 NBA drafts by the Philadelphia 76ers. Between Jan. 18 and March 31 of last year, Iguodala played in just two games. It wasnt easy to make the team. Iguodala played for Philadelphia until the summer of 2012 when he joined the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade. Jordan Nwora will be the most popular pick on the list to Nigerians as the 22-year-old is a member of the country's senior men's basketball team, otherwise known as D'Tigers. 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. Every NBA Draft night, draft prospects, domestic and international, are picked by the NBA teams. [101], In March 2015, Twice, an online secondhand apparel outlet, named Iguodala its Menswear Style Director. However, he also had his career-best season in assists with 6.3 apg and helped the Sixers make the playoffs with the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. [57] On March 13, 2017, he was fined $10,000 by the NBA for using racially intemperate language in an interview following the Warriors' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 10. Per the Philly Inquirer: "Iguodala's father is. He had previously served as vice-president of the NBPA executive committee starting in 2013. He scored 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. [94] Iguodala has a daughter and a son. News: 20 hours agoIguodala (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans. [55] On January 16, 2017, he came off the bench to make all five of his field goal attempts for a season-high 14 points in a 12691 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Everything you need to know about the Warriors' championship rings, Warriors vet Iguodala returning for 19th season, They said it! Though he made the team after sinking a game-winning three against Poland in the 2019 Peak Tournament, it wasnt all smooth sailing. On November 28, 2016, Iguodala had a season-best game with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 105100 win over the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Warriors start the season 162 while recording their 12th straight victorytheir equal third-longest streak in franchise history. And we felt like we fell short without getting a medal. Thats where I grew up. Spin: Iguodala hasn't suited up since mid-January and will miss yet another game Friday. Looking at the HEAT-Nigeria connection, as 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 . Ive never been there. [25] He went on to finish the season with averages of 18.2 points, along with 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. In the playoffs, the Sixers lost in the first round to the Pistons in 6 games after leading the series 21. Andre Iguodala played college basketball with the Arizona Wildcats. 'They have no choice now': LeBron James, seldom labeled a pure scorer, eyes the NBA points summit, Warriors' Iguodala set for season debut vs. Magic, The questions that will determine the Warriors' repeat title run, 16 carats?! Andre Iguodala PPG 2.3 RPG 2.3 APG 1.7 PIE 5.3 HEIGHT 6'6" (1.98m) WEIGHT 215lb (98kg) COUNTRY USA LAST ATTENDED Arizona AGE 39 years BIRTHDATE January 28, 1984 DRAFT 2004 R1 Pick 9 EXPERIENCE. As part of the trade, he agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with Miami, with the last year being a team option. The 6ft 6 shooting guard was raised in Indiana with a southern-Nigerian father and American mother. The meaning in Igbo is something like " (Igu) Weed/wheat/hay, (o) referring to a person in the like of he/she, (dala) fell/fall". Early on in the year, Iguodala was on a Sixers team with high expectations after signing All-Star forward Elton Brand and seeing the success of forward Thaddeus Young, whom they drafted with their lottery pick the prior year. Born to and African American mother and Nigerian father, Adebayo began his career as the 14th overall NBA draft pick by the Miami Heat in 2017. Free shipping for many products! [53] The Warriors would again play the Cleveland Cavaliers for the championship. On August 12, 2008, Iguodala reportedly agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract extension with the Sixers. 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. 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. Previously with the 3-time NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Iguodala was drafted into the NBA in 2004. ", "Anger. Iguodala proved his versatility, as he was the only rookie and 76er to record a triple-double that season, doing it against the defending champion Detroit Pistons. Andre Iguodala, who was born on January 28, 1984, will be 38 years old in 2022. The 22-year-old was the last of the players of Nigerian heritage to be selected in the first round of the draft. Many colleges regarded Iguodala as a track star turned basketball player but teammate Luke Walton said, "He is going to be one of the best players to ever come out of Arizona by the time he is done here". 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. Andre Iguodala is signing with the Golden State Warriors, according to Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times on Friday. [10], Iguodala initially signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Arkansas. Andre Iguodala found himself in recent months in discussions with his few N.B.A. Once he picks up momentum it is unstoppable to stop the Greek Freek. Iguodala was picked up in the 2004 NBA drafts by the Philadelphia 76ers. Andre Iguodala will return to play his 19th season in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, the veteran announced on his "Point Forward" podcast Friday morning. [68][69] After starting nine consecutive games,[70] he missed the deciding Game 4 in the conference finals against Portland with a sore left calf injury from Game 3. After Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets and Chris Webber was released, Iguodala would have to get accustomed to his new leadership role with the 76ers. You gotta tip your hat to that, to what they did to us in our home floor. He was born to Nigerian parents who are pentecostal ministers in Minnesota, with his father Francis a former table tennis player for Nigeria. I never gave it any serious thought. Previously with the 3-time NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Iguodala was drafted into the NBA in 2004. And at around the age of 16, Adebayo felt compelled to delve more into his Nigerian roots. Nerlens Noel is signing a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. It was a grind, to be honest. And I wouldnt trade anything for my culture and me being from Nigeria.. Andre Iguodala. 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