Chukwudiebere "Chu" Maduabum (born March 19, 1991), sometimes credited as "Chuk", "Chuck", or "Chu Chu", is a Nigerian professional basketball player for the Veertien Mie of the B.League. He was drafted 56th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA draft before his rights were traded to the Denver Nuggets.[1]
Maduabum, a 6'9" power forward, was the third player drafted straight from the D-League, following fellow second round picks Mike Taylor and Latavious Williams. He played for two teams while he was in Nigeria before going to the D-League: the Dodan Warriors and the Kano Pillars. He also played in the FIBA Africa Club Championship.
Professional career
NBA and NBA D-League
On March 18, 2011, Maduabum was acquired by the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA D-League.[2] He went on to average 0.7 points and 1.0 blocks in three games during 2010–11.
On January 24, 2012, Maduabum was reacquired by the Bakersfield Jam. However, he was later waived on February 1, 2012, after just one game due to injury.[3]
In July 2012, Maduabum joined the Nuggets for the 2012 NBA Summer League where he averaged 2.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in three games.[4]
On February 18, 2016, the 76ers traded the draft rights to Maduabum to the Houston Rockets as part of a three team trade with the Detroit Pistons.[6] However, his rights would return to the 76ers four days later, as the Pistons rescinded their trade, following a failed physical by Donatas Motiejūnas.[7][8]
On July 15, 2016, the 76ers traded the draft rights to Maduabum to the Cleveland Cavaliers, in exchange for Sasha Kaun and cash considerations.[9]
Qatar
In January 2013, Maduabum signed with Al-Shamal of Qatar's D1 league where he averaged 9.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 1.0 assists in eight games.
Estonia
In November 2013, Maduabum signed with Tallinna Kalev of Estonia for the 2013–14 season.[10] In December 2013, he left Tallinna after three Estonian League games and two Baltic League games.
Mongolia
In January 2014, Maduabum signed with Khasiin Khuleguud of Mongolia for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[11] He went on earn league All-Star honors and helped them win the 2014 championship.
Return to D-League
On November 2, 2014, Maduabum was acquired by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[12] On December 2, 2014, he was waived by the Mad Ants after appearing in four games.[13]
Return to Estonia
On January 9, 2015, Maduabum re-signed with Tallinna Kalev. He later left Tallinna Kalev.[14]
Short terms in Iceland & Finland
On August 7, 2015, Maduabum signed with Keflavík of the Icelandic Premier League after averaging 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game with Tallinna Kalev.[15]
In September, Maduabum signed with Finnish Korisliiga team Tampereen Pyrintö where he played in eight matches averaging 2.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game before exiting the team at the beginning of November. He also played one game with Pyrintö II in First Division A.[16][17]
Return to Mongolia
For the rest of the 2015–16 season, Maduabum would play with the Gegeen Khangai Leader in Mongolia. He'd later be named an All-Star for the second season in a row in Mongolia.
^Cohn, Justin (December 2, 2014). "More moves for Mad Ants". JournalGazette.net. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
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