Ejike Ugboaja

Ejike Ugboaja
Personal information
Born (1985-05-28) 28 May 1985 (age 39)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2006: 2nd round, 55th overall pick
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career2003–2016
PositionPower forward
Career history
2003–2004Yelwa Hawks
2004–2006UB Lagos
2006Kager Gdynia
2007APOEL Nicosia
2007–2008Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2008Anaheim Arsenal
2008–2009Azad University
2009Azovmash Mariupol
2010Petrochimi Bandar Imam
2010Ford Burgos
2011–2012Jahesh Tarabar Qom
2013Utena Juventus
2013–2014İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi
2014BC Mark Mentors
2016Kano Pillars Basket
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Nigeria
FIBA Africa Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Madagascar National Team

Ejike Christopher Ugboaja (born 28 May 1985) is a Nigerian professional basketball player who last played for BC Mark Mentors of the Nigerian Premier Basketball League (NPBL). He is also the founder of Ejike Ugboaja Foundation.[1]

Professional career

Ugboaja was selected in the 2006 NBA draft by the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers, in the second round with the 55th pick overall.[2] He was a member of the Cavaliers during the 2006–07 season, but did not play in any regular season games with the team. He played in the 2nd-tier Eurocup with Azovmash Mariupol[3] and with BC Odesa.[4]

Nigerian national team

Ugboaja competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2007 FIBA Africa Championship, the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship, and the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship with Nigeria. He also played at the 2012 Summer Olympics, with the senior men's Nigerian national basketball team.

Awards and honours

On 28 May 2023, President of Nigeria Mohammadu Buhari honoured Ejike Ugboaja with an Order of the Federal Republic membership.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Meet Ejike Ugboaja". ejikefoundation.org. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers Draft Shannon Brown, Daniel Gibson and Ejike Ugboaja in 2006 NBA Draft". NBA.com. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Ejike Ugboaja inks for Azovmash". Sportando.com. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  4. ^ "BC Odessa signs Sparks and Ugboaja". Sportando.com. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Full list of 2023 National Honours recipients". The Nation. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2024.