Tag: African sportsmen in America

Sports

Birima Seck | Arizona State University among first to offer scholarship to Senegalese center
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By MASON KERN  | 247Sports

In 2016, Birima Seck made a decision that altered the course of his life’s trajectory. A native of Dakar, Senegal, the capital of the country in West Africa, Seck grew up playing soccer before a massive growth spurt made him consider alternate athletic endeavors. He had good reason, considering he was in the process of blooming into a towering 6-foot-11 frame that led to a transition from kicking a ball on the pitch to dribbling one on the hardwood.

Continue reading “Birima Seck | Arizona State University among first to offer scholarship to Senegalese center” →
Sports

Nigeria is making a strong play to get the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo on the roster
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By Colin Udoh | ESPN

Not so long ago, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo seemed completely lost to Nigeria. Now, it appears he could maybe, possibly, perhaps be on the verge of playing his international basketball for the African country as they actively court him to do so.

What a difference a year makes.

Continue reading “Nigeria is making a strong play to get the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo on the roster” →
Sports

Chukwuma Okorafor | Steelers’ was born in Nigeria, but made in America
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By TOM REED | dkpittsburghsports

Tim Conley’s first look at Chukwuma Okorafor came in the school gymnasium while the super-sized sophomore was playing ping pong.  Needless to say, the Southfield High football coach had not left his classroom in the middle of the day to see whether the new transfer student had the makings to be the next Forrest Gump of table tennis.

Continue reading “Chukwuma Okorafor | Steelers’ was born in Nigeria, but made in America” →
Sports

Bam Adebayo bounces back in big way to spark Miami Heat’s advance to NBA Finals
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By Nick Friedell | ESPN Staff Writer

The Miami Heat are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 because Nigerian-American Bam Adebayo saved the biggest performance of his life for the moment his team needed it most. The All-Star big man delivered an epic postseason performance with a career-high 32 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists in 39 minutes as the Heat finished off the Boston Celtics 125-113 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Continue reading “Bam Adebayo bounces back in big way to spark Miami Heat’s advance to NBA Finals” →
Sports

Israel Adesanya earns one-sided domination of Paulo Costa at UFC 253 to retain middleweight title
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BY BRENDAN BRADFORD | Sporting News Australia

Israel Adesanya has retained his middleweight title with a utterly one-sided beatdown of Paulo Costa at UFC 253 on Fight Island. Adesanya dominated the fight from start to finish, ending proceedings in with a minute to fight in the second round after systematically breaking the Brazilian down.

Continue reading “Israel Adesanya earns one-sided domination of Paulo Costa at UFC 253 to retain middleweight title” →
Sports

President Donald Trump Calls Nigerian-born Kamaru Usman “An Unbelievable Talent”
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BY ISHAAN BHATTACHARYA | Essentially Sports

Nigerian-born Kamaru Usman, the UFC Welterweight Champion of the World has received high praise from President Donald Trump who has called him “An Unbelievable Talent”

Continue reading “President Donald Trump Calls Nigerian-born Kamaru Usman “An Unbelievable Talent”” →
Sports

Efe Ajagba Makes Top Rank Debut with Decision win over Jonnie Rice
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By Jake Donovan  | Boxing Scene

Nigerian Efe Ajagba hoped to make more of a statement in his first fight under new management. Instead, the heavyweight prospect had to settle for winning tonight and looking good the next time.

Continue reading “Efe Ajagba Makes Top Rank Debut with Decision win over Jonnie Rice” →
Sports

Louis Oosthuizen | SA golf celebrates epic weekend
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By SuperSport

In America, Louis Oosthuizen finished third in the US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club and eight shots behind winner Bryson DeChambeau. The US Open is now the one Major where Oosthuizen has had the most top-10 finishes of four.

Continue reading “Louis Oosthuizen | SA golf celebrates epic weekend” →
Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greek-born Nigerian wins 2nd straight NBA MVP award
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By TIM REYNOLDS | AP News

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek born to Nigerian parents. The Milwaukee forward is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, receiving that award Friday. He got the Defensive Player of the Year award earlier in these NBA playoffs.

Continue reading “Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greek-born Nigerian wins 2nd straight NBA MVP award” →
Sports

Ajagba on Facing Joshua: Skills Control Power – I Have More Skills!
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By BoxingScene Staff  

Heavyweight contender Nigerian-born Efe Ajagba is already eyeing some of the bigger names in the weight class – including IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Ajagba recently signed a promotional contract with Top Rank and hired James Prince as his manager.

Continue reading “Ajagba on Facing Joshua: Skills Control Power – I Have More Skills!” →
Sports

Roy Mubiru | Ugandan Powerlifter wins gold at 2020 WPA world championship
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by DAVID ISABIRYE | kawowo Sports

The US-based Ugandan Powerlifter Roy Mubiru has smiled to the podium with a gold medal during the 2020 World Powerlifting Association (WPA) World championship held at Steel Beach Gym, Oakville Connecticut in the United States of America (USA).

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People

Joseph Awinongya | Meet 13-year-old Ghanaian Boxer with 13 USA Titles
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by Ebenezer Quist | YEN

Joseph Awinongya Jr is a rising Ghanaian boxer has become a force to reckon with in the sport. The young boxer has already won 13 amazing national titles in boxing in America at his tender age.

Continue reading “Joseph Awinongya | Meet 13-year-old Ghanaian Boxer with 13 USA Titles” →
Sports

Ime Udoka | Nigerian-American in race to take over as coach of Chicago Bulls
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By Justin Grasso | Sports Illustrated

The Philadelphia 76ers have granted the Chicago Bulls permission to interview Ime Udoka for the vacant head coach position, a source confirmed to Sports Illustrated on Monday night. Udoka, who spent the 2019-2020 NBA season as Brett Brown’s top assistant, has been on Chicago’s radar for quite some time now.

Continue reading “Ime Udoka | Nigerian-American in race to take over as coach of Chicago Bulls” →
Sports

Mouhamed Lamine Mbaye | Senegalese forward reacts to ASU offer
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By MASON KERN  | 247 Sports

In his native country of Senegal in West Africa, Mouhamed Lamine Mbaye grew up learning Taekwondo, reaching black belt status before shifting his focus to a new pursuit in December of 2016. That endeavor was basketball, which he picked up quickly, as evidenced by his qualification for the Senegalese national team merely a year later.

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Uncategorized

Mwadi Mabika | How the Olympics changed the life of Congolese legend
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By FIBA.

 NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo already knew who Mwadi Mabika was from his regular trips to their native Democratic Republic of Congo, but what the then Atlanta Hawks star didn’t know was how great she would become down the line. And although Mabika achieved huge success with the Los Angeles Sparks, fate dictated that the city of Atlanta would play a significant part in the two-time WNBA champion’s life.

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Sports

Israel Adesanya | Nigerian-born UFC star commends NBA players for racial injustice boycott
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By Danny Segura | USAToday

Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya is siding with some of his fellow professional athletes’ decision to halt play in protest of a police shooting in Wisconsin earlier this week. The UFC middleweight champion said he commends NBA players for boycotting play in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha.

Continue reading “Israel Adesanya | Nigerian-born UFC star commends NBA players for racial injustice boycott” →
Sports

Kamaru Usman | Nigerian MMA star responds after Colby Covington rips NBA, MLB players for striking as protest for Jacob Blake shooting
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By Damon Martin | MMA Fighting

Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has injected himself into the news after players from the NBA and MLB initiated strikes in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. This has elicited a sharp response by Nigerian UFC champion Kamaru Usman

Continue reading “Kamaru Usman | Nigerian MMA star responds after Colby Covington rips NBA, MLB players for striking as protest for Jacob Blake shooting” →
Sports

Masai Ujiri | Raptors president thankful for support over a ‘racist’ incident
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By Isaac Fanin | BBC

The president of the Toronto Raptors basketball team, Masai Ujiri, says an incident with a law enforcement officer moments before his team lifted their first NBA title last year happened because ‘I am black’.

Continue reading “Masai Ujiri | Raptors president thankful for support over a ‘racist’ incident” →
Sports

Steve Kibare | Budding Kenyan-American golfer targets big tours
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By LARRY NGALA | Daily Nation

For many amateur golfers aspiring to join the professional ranks, competing in the biggest Tours and tournaments in the world is a long-held dream. American-born Kenyan Steve Kibare, who is due to join Dalton State University on a full golf scholarship this fall (this month), has what it takes to join the big tours in the world.

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Sports

Major League Cricket signs two South Africans
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By Nate Hays | Emerging Cricket

USA Cricket and ACE’s Major League Cricket have a couple of new professional signings from South Africa in Willem Ludick and Carmi Le Roux. The announcement was made this week by their representation: The Sporting Agents, via Instagram and YouTube.

Continue reading “Major League Cricket signs two South Africans” →
Opinion

To the Kids Back Home in Congo
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BY JONATHAN KUMINGA | The Player Tribune

To All the Kids Back Home in Congo,

Even though I’ve been in the States for five years, Congo is never far from my mind and it’s always in my heart. It’s actually really difficult for me to put my feelings about home into words. But I did have to study my butt off for years to get my English on point, so I’m at least gonna try.

Continue reading “To the Kids Back Home in Congo” →
Uncategorized

Masai Ujiri: Toronto Raptors General Manager visits Africa with NBA trophy to inspire a new generation
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Nigerian-born Massai Ujiri made history with the Toronto Raptors when he became the first African General Manager to win the NBA in 2019. He returned to the continent to present the trophy to his parents and former basketball coach, Oliver B. Johnson and also inspire a new generation of players in his long running basketball camp across several African countries.

This video from HBO tells the story.

Continue reading “Masai Ujiri: Toronto Raptors General Manager visits Africa with NBA trophy to inspire a new generation” →
Sports

Makur Maker : Kenyan-born South Sudanese chooses Howard University to continue career
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BY JERRY BEMBRY | The Undefeated

It was seen as somewhat of a tease when Makur Maker made a recruitment visit to Howard University last fall, before shifting into a serious discussion: What if a five-star recruit opted to play college basketball at a historically Black university?

Continue reading “Makur Maker : Kenyan-born South Sudanese chooses Howard University to continue career” →
Sports

Tacko Fall: The Senegalese who is the tallest player in the NBA, talks about representing his country in the USA
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By Oluwatosin Michael | Deythere.com

Senegal’s Elhadji Tacko Sereigne Diop is the tallest basketball player in the NBA. Tacko Fall who was born in Dakar, Senegal on 10th December 1995 is 24-years-old. He stands at 2.26 m and in an interview with NBA Africa talks about how he is representing his country and family in the United States of America.

Continue reading “Tacko Fall: The Senegalese who is the tallest player in the NBA, talks about representing his country in the USA” →
Sports

Jesse Iwuji: Nigerian-American NASCAR Driver condemns attacks on Bubba Wallace
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By Ebimo Amungo

Jesse Iwuji, the Nigerian-American US Naval Officer who is one of two black drivers in the top 3 tier of NASCAR has condemned the racial attack on fellow driver Bubba Wallace, describing it as “sickening”.

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Movies

Official Trailer for ‘Runner’ Doc Film About Guor Marial a South Sudanese Olympian
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by Alex Billington | Firstshowing.net

“Inside of me, my heart is always on fire…” 

An official trailer has debuted for a documentary titled simply Runner, about the world famous Olympian named Guor Marial. When he was a child, he fled from Sudan and escaped its oppression in America. Years later, ready to compete in running, he had to fight the IOC to be an independent runner for South Sudan but eventually was given the chance to compete in the marathon event in the 2012 Olympics. 

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People, Sports

Tega Wanogho: The Nigerian prince who is set to rule American football
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By The Nations

Prince Tega Wanogho left Nigeria largely unknown, but he has become synonymous with quality, mainly in the United States of America where he was recently drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League. His story encapsulates the never-say-die attitude of the average Nigerian athlete, but fate played a crucial role in his becoming a football player as he had left Nigeria to pursue a career in basketball.

Continue reading “Tega Wanogho: The Nigerian prince who is set to rule American football” →
Uncategorized

Philip Adejumo: The PhD candidate at Yale who wants to represent Nigeria in swimming at the Olympics
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by MATTHEW DE GEORGE | Swimming World Magazine

Philip Adejumo’s first post-graduate move didn’t have swimming in mind. Now that he’s chasing an Olympic berth for Nigeria, his second is more considered in the athletic realm. Adejumo wrapped up his career at the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a flourish in 2018: Five gold medals (two individual), two school records and one America East mark at the conference championships.

Continue reading “Philip Adejumo: The PhD candidate at Yale who wants to represent Nigeria in swimming at the Olympics” →
Sports

Nigerian basketballer Promise Amukamara’s persistence is carrying her to the Olympics
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Jeff Metcalfe | azcentral

Promise Amukamara is something of a throwback to the days when women’s basketball players went overseas after college and only surfaced in the U.S. consciousness during an Olympic year. 

Continue reading “Nigerian basketballer Promise Amukamara’s persistence is carrying her to the Olympics” →
Sports

Namibia soccer star, Annouscka Kordom, Instills Hope with new foundation
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by Sheefeni Nikodemus | The Namibian

“DREAMS really come true,” says Brave Gladiator Annouscka Kordom.

However, unlocking your dream requires sacrifice, perseverance and a helping hand. No sooner had she obtained her degree in sports and marketing management from the Corban University, than Kordom set out on her next adventure – to make a difference by assisting others get opportunities similar to what she had received.

Continue reading “Namibia soccer star, Annouscka Kordom, Instills Hope with new foundation” →