Emmanuel Nzekwesi

Emmanuel Chukwubuikem Nzekwesi (born September 5, 1997) is a Dutch professional basketball player for ZZ Leiden of the Dutch Basketball League. He played college basketball for Oral Roberts.

Emmanuel Nzekwesi
Nzekwesi in January 2020
No. 15 – ZZ Leiden
PositionPower forward
LeagueDutch Basketball League
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
College
NBA draft2020 / Undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–presentZZ Leiden
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Summit League (2020)
  • Second-team All-Summit League (2019)
  • Summit League Freshman of the Tear (2017)

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 order to 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

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]

National team career

In July 2017, Nzekwesi was named to the Dutch national team at the FIBA U20 European Championship Division B.[11] He averaged 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.[12]

In November 2020, Nzekwesi was selected for the Dutch senior team for the first time.[13]

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. "ZZ Leiden signs Emmanuel Nzekwesi". Sportando. August 13, 2020. 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. "ORU's Emmanuel Nzekwesi Selected For Dutch National Team". News on 6. May 4, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  12. "Emmanuel Chukwubuikem NZEKWESI". FIBA. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  13. "SELECTIE". Basketball.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved November 28, 2020.
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