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List of Nigerian sportspeople includes notable sportsman of the country.
American football
editAssociation football
edit- Johnson Akuchie[1]
- Yakubu – Guangzhou R&F
- Victor Anichebe – West Brom
- Tunji Banjo
- Chibuzor Chilaka
- Christian Chukwu
- John Fashanu
- Sani Kaita
- Nwankwo Kanu – played in 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals
- Garba Lawal
- Obafemi Martins – VfL Wolfsburg
- Anthony Nwagbara
- Mikel John Obi – Chelsea F.C.
- Segun Odegbami
- Peter Odemwingie – West Bromwich Albion F.C.
- Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha (born 1973) [2]
- Praise Onubiyi
- Nedum Onuoha – Manchester City F.C.
- Oguchi Onyewu
- Rashidi Yekini
- Joseph Yobo – Fenerbahçe S.K.
- Michael Obafemi – Southampton
- Henry Onyekuru
- Bukayo Saka
- Kelechi Iheanacho – Leicester City
Athletics
edit- Blessing Okagbere – track and field athlete [3][4]
- Chioma Ajunwa – first Nigerian Olympic gold medalist (long jump)
- Olusoji Fasuba – sprinter
Basketball
edit- Kenny Adeleke (born 1983) – basketball player
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (born Adétòkunbọ̀ in 1994) – 2-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA Finals MVP for the Milwaukee Bucks. His parents are Nigerian, and though he was born in Athens, Greece, he did not receive Greek citizenship until 2013. According to Giannis, him and his brothers grew up in a "Nigerian home" with "no Greek culture." Antetokounmpo holds dual-citizenship, having received his Nigerian passport in 2015.[5]
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo (born 1992) – Giannis' older brother also plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. Like Giannis, Thanasis' surname was changed from the Yoruba "Adétòkunbọ̀" to the Greek transliteration "Antentokounmpo" as part of the citizenship process.[6]
- Tunji Awojobi (born 1973) – professional basketball player
- Kelenna Azubuike – Golden State Warriors
- Udoka Azubuike – University of Kansas
- Suleiman Braimoh (born 1989) – Nigerian-American basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
- Yinka Dare – New Jersey Nets
- John Egbunu (born 1994) – Nigerian-born American basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Obinna Ekezie (born 1975) – professional basketball player
- Festus Ezeli – Golden State Warriors
- Andre Iguodala – Philadelphia 76ers
- Ikenna Iroegbu (born 1995), American-born Nigerian basketball player for Hapoel Galil Elyon of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Jayson Obazuaye (born 1984)
- Nneka Ogwumike – Los Angeles Sparks
- Emeka Okafor – Phoenix Suns
- Ike Ofoegbu (born 1984) – American-Nigerian Israeli Premier Basketball League player
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Victor Oladipo – Orlando Magic
- Michael Olowokandi (born 1975)
- Ekpe Udoh – Milwaukee Bucks
- Ime Udoka – San Antonio Spurs
- Mfon Udoka – Detroit Shock, Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks
- Talib Zanna (born 1990) – basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
Boxing
edit- Dick Tiger (born Richard Ihetu) – former World Boxing Association world middleweight and light-heavyweight champion.
- Hogan Bassey – former World Boxing Association world featherweight champion.
- Ike Ibeabuchi – former World Boxing Council international heavyweight champion
- Samuel Peter – former World Boxing Council world heavyweight champion
Mixed martial arts
edit- Anthony Njokuani
- Israel Adesanya
- Kamaru Usman
- Muhammed Lawal – former Strikeforce world light-heavyweight champion
References
edit- ^ "N JOHNSON AKUCHIE, DELANTERO DE FLANDRIA". www.elcivismo.com.ar. el civismo. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Okocha Joins Bolton". BBC.
- ^ "Blessing Okagbere".
- ^ "Athlete Profile For Blessing Okagbare". iaaf. Archived from the original on 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
- ^ https://andscape.com/features/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-greek-freak-wants-to-go-back-to-his-nigerian-roots/
- ^ "The best player in the NBA is "Nigerian" but most Nigerians have no idea who he is". Quartz. 2019-03-11. Archived from the original on 2023-05-03.