Tag: African sportsmen in America

Sports

Wizards to dangle $10M Per-Year Contract Offer to Lure Raptors’ Masai Ujiri to Washington

By Chris Bengel

The Toronto Raptors are fresh off of winning their first NBA title in franchise history after defeating the Golden State Warriors. However, with that type of success, a team’s assets are coveted by the rest of the league.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Washington Wizards are “preparing” a massive $10 million per year offer for Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and are expected to seek permission from Toronto to speak with him about their vacancy in the coming days.

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Sports

Scott becomes MLB’s first South African pitcher

South African-born Tayler Scott made history over the weekend when he made his debut for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB). Scott became the first South African pitcher to appear in an MLB game and the second South African to feature in the prestigious American league after Gift Ngoepe.

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Sports

The NBA’S New Africa League Builds On Strong Foundation

By Jack McCaslin

Popular culture, including sports, has long been one of America’s most powerful exports. Athletes, in turn, have been influential ambassadors, if not for the U.S. government, then for America writ large. Last week, for the first time in National Basketball Association (NBA) history, the Finals tipped off outside of the United States, in Toronto. While only about two hours away from the U.S. border at Niagara Falls, the NBA has set its sights much farther afield.

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People

Masai Ujiri got Toronto Raptors to the NBA Finals while also focusing on Africa

Creating opportunities for more African players like Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka has become his passion.

By William Rhoden

Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri takes pains to keep himself out of the limelight. This was an easy task a decade ago when Ujiri was early in his career as a globe-trotting scout and aspiring front-office executive.

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People, Sports

Nigerian sends Canada’s only NBA team to its first final in history

By Francis Akhalbey

On Sunday, the Toronto Raptors made history when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 100 – 94 to qualify for its first ever NBA playoff finals in its history.

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People, Sports

Raptors’ revelation: Cameroonian Pascal Siakam ‘has the spirit our game needs’

BY Marc J. Spears

Cameroon born Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, who was recently named a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, is focused on helping his team make its first Finals appearance in franchise history.

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Sports

Kenyan man, woman win Cleveland Marathon

 By: Courtney Shaw

A man and woman from Kenya have been crowned the winners of the Cleveland Marathon.

Edwin Kamaiyo, 33, made his American racing debut by overtaking two-time champion Philemon Terrer near the 24-mile mark and holding on for victory in the 42nd annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. His winning time was 2:22:02.

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News, Sports

Chawonza wins prestigious US award

By Daniel Nhakaniso

RISING Zimbabwean athletics sensation Alfred Chawonza capped off a memorable season in style after being named as the winner of the prestigious Men of Essex Award during the 61st edition of the annual awards dinner at the Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club in Livingston, New Jersey in the United States last week.

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Sports

Kenyan, Ethiopian runners win at Pittsburgh Marathon

Boniface Kongin of Kenya and Bizuwork Getahu Kasaya of Ethiopia won the 26.2-mile Pittsburgh Marathon with times of 2 hours, 10 minutes, 34 seconds and 2:36:29, respectively.

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People, Sports

Ebenezer Dowuona left Ghana to pursue basketball dreams, has become Ohio State target

By Colin Hass-Hill

Ebenezer Dowuona, a 6-foot-10 four-star big man and 2020 Ohio State target, wakes up in Georgia and picks up his phone around 7 a.m. to see and hear from his mother, who still lives in Ghana.

He hasn’t been back to his native country or his hometown of Accra since he and his brother, Emmanuel, left Africa for the United States in 2014 with a legal guardian who had a connection to the family.

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Sports

Nigerian-born Efe Ajagba Drops, Stops Michael Wallisch in Two Rounds

By Keith Idec

Nigerian-born Efe Ajagba didn’t waste any time getting rid of Michael Wallisch on Saturday night.

The heavyweight knockout artist continuously hammered Wallisch with thudding shots in their brief bout. Referee Tony Weeks had seen enough after 4 ½ minutes and stopped their scheduled 10-rounder at 1:40 of the second round on the Robert Easter Jr.-Rances Barthelemy undercard.

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Sports

Inside the Mind of Efe Ajagba

By Caryn Tate

The undefeated heavyweight prospect is a man of many talents but boxing is still paramount as he returns to the ring Saturday night on Showtime.

Houston, Texas is a far cry from Ughelli, a town in southwestern Nigeria. No one knows that better than heavyweight prospect Efe “The One and Only” Ajagba (9-0, 8 KOs).

Ajagba is set to the return to the ring this Saturday, April 27, against Michael Wallisch (19-1, 12 KOs) at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The bout will open the televised portion of the Robert Easter Jr.-Rances Barthelemy main event on Showtime (10:00p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT).

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Achievements, People

Mo Salah and Rami Malek Among TIME’s 2019 Most Influential 100

Egyptian football sensation Mohamed Salah has been listed among the TIME’s 2019 most influential people.

The 26 year old star also features on the cover of the magazine. Inside, HBO John Oliver paid tribute to the footballer, calling him an “an “iconic figure for Egyptians, Scousers and Muslims the world over.”

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Education

Senegalese sports leaders visit University of Arkansas to learn about teaching youth sports

A group of 17 sports leaders from the West African nation of Senegal will visit the University of Arkansas for two weeks to learn an innovative method for teaching sports that integrates physical and mental health education.

The two-week workshop will run from April 15-28, and was developed by College of Education and Health Professions students in a class that combines the disciplines of recreation management, public health, and counselor education. The students have also been learning specifically about Senegal, in order to prepare the workshop.

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