If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. [46] He finished the series averaging 16.3 points, 4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. [49] An ankle injury suffered in early March forced Iguodala to miss 13 straight games. Its interesting. The 22-year-old was the last of the players of Nigerian heritage to be selected in the first round of the draft. "I watched the NBA Finals, and thankful that they're welcoming me to Miami. Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. Between Jan. 18 and March 31 of last year, Iguodala played in just two games. Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois on January 28, 1984. Early into the season, Philadelphia was struggling, which led to the departure of head coach Maurice Cheeks. Andre Iguodala, whose father is Nigerian, turned down Team Nigeria when they repeatedly tried to recruit him for their Olympic squad. Finals", "Warriors first to 5 Finals in row since 1966 Celtics", "Raptors capture first NBA title, beat Warriors in Game 6", "After the Injuries, What's Next for the Warriors? Houses Andre Iguodala bought a mansion in Lafayette, California. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be in the position I'm in today. The meaning in Igbo is something like " (Igu) Weed/wheat/hay, (o) referring to a person in the like of he/she, (dala) fell/fall". However, he also had his career-best season in assists with 6.3 apg and helped the Sixers make the playoffs with the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. I'm just excited to do whatever I can to help our team win.". [104], On June 25, 2019, Iguodala released The Sixth Man: A Memoir. Iguodala played for Philadelphia until the summer of 2012 when he joined the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade. ", Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said: "We felt at the end of the day that 'Dok was the best defensive player, best player available given his unique production, physical attributes and ability to affect both offensively and defensively on the court,". They got one. pic.twitter.com/Z8dJNufBYr, Jimmy Butler, Julius Randle, Miami Heat, New York Knicks. Iguodala averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the regular season. Getty Images. Iguodala is a huge figure who wields influence in both on and off the court of Basketball. The Warriors received a traded player exception in the deal. We want to be a good representation of what we believe in. Looking at the HEAT-Nigeria connection, as Precious Achiuwa was born in the country, while Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent have one or both parents from . On August 10, 2012, Iguodala was dealt to the Denver Nuggets in a series of trades also involving the Sixers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic. Victory. [83] The Heat reached the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost 42 to the Los Angeles Lakers,[84] and Iguodala became the tenth player in NBA history to make it to six straight Finals. His next opportunity to return will be Sunday against the Lakers, although a timetable for his return isn't yet clear. 'They have no choice now': LeBron James, seldom labeled a pure scorer, eyes the NBA points summit, Warriors' Iguodala set for season debut vs. Magic, The questions that will determine the Warriors' repeat title run, 16 carats?! His partnership with entrepreneurs in San Francisco's Silicon Valley has led to an annual event tagged Players Technology Summit. [80][81][82], On February 6, 2020, Iguodala was traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team trade along with Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill with Memphis and Minnesota. During the season, he averaged 9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 32.8 minutes per game. Per the Philly Inquirer: Iguodalas father is Nigerian. [19] A day later, he participated in the Slam Dunk Contest. The 21-year-old, 6ft 10 centre looks set to end up at the LA Clippers after he was originally picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who immediately traded him the New York Knicks before being moved on again. In acknowledgment of the players of Nigerian Origin's impact on the NBA, this list is a chronicle of the best such active players. He said: Were not enough. "You know, I feel like I bring a mature approach. Iguodala proved his versatility, as he was the only rookie and 76er to record a triple-double that season, doing it against the defending champion Detroit Pistons. He was raised in Springfield, Illinois, a city in the United States. Leonard Shanklin is a celebrity parent who happens to be the father of popular NBA star, Andre Iguodala. The Warriors' small lineup, which came to be known as the Death Lineup, helped turn the series around. Miami Heat may well get a few more fans in Nigeria as Achiuwa will join four others at the team who have Nigerian heritage - Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, Chikezie 'KZ' Okpala and Gabe Vincent. In the deciding Game 7 with the score tied at 89 late in the game, Iguodala was going for a potential layup when Cleveland's James recovered for a chase-down block with 1:50 remaining, a play which came to be known as "The Block".[54]. Giannis posted his best playoff numbers in his 2021 NBA Championship bid, averaging an incredible 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists. It doesnt even do it justice. His date of birth is however unknown but he is believed to be in his early 60s considering the age of his son younger Andre (age 38 years). [98], Alongside teammate Stephen Curry, Iguodala is known to be an avid golfer. [32][33] He officially joined the Warriors in a three-team sign-and-trade deal with the Nuggets and the Utah Jazz. [5][8][9] As a senior in 2002, Iguodala led Lanphier's basketball team to a runner-up finish at the Illinois High School Association Class AA state tournament. The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. Andre Iguodala played college basketball with the Arizona Wildcats. Philadelphia started the season poorly but were one of the best teams down the stretch. American Basketball star Andre Iguodala , a notable tech investor and board member of Jumia Group, recently visited Nigeria his country of descent to engage . [68][69] After starting nine consecutive games,[70] he missed the deciding Game 4 in the conference finals against Portland with a sore left calf injury from Game 3. He can pivot and spin around defenders for easy floaters or reach out for in-traffic dunks. Im glad he played well, but Im glad we got the win. Andre Tyler Iguodala (/wdl/ ig-w-DAH-l; born January 28, 1984)[1] is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). [90] After missing the first 39 games due to a hip injury, he made his season debut on January 8, 2023, in a 115101 loss to the Orlando Magic.[91]. A reminder: The Heat has until 5 p.m. tomorrow to decide on the team options in the contracts of Goran Dragic ($19.4 million) and Andre Iguodala ($15 million). When Iguodala was selected, ESPN personality Dick Vitale commented that it was a mistake for the Sixers to take him, saying "Iguodala was a [27 percent] shooter from the college three-point line. "I'm so excited to play alongside Rudy (Gobert)," Azubuike said. Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a Nigerian father and an African American mother in Illinois Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a. [42][43] The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in six games, and Iguodala was named the Finals MVP, becoming the first player to win the award without starting a game during the regular season. Andre Iguodala. [5], As a sophomore in 200304, Iguodala was named team MVP after leading his team in rebounds, assists and steals. In 2017, he partnered with Bloomberg on the creation of The Players Technology Summit which convenes top executives and leaders in the technology, venture capital, and sports communities to exchange ideas and share expertise in an educational and empowering forum. [10], Iguodala initially signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Arkansas. Deandre Ayton averaged 15.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and registered a 65.8 field goal percentage. Remember I wrote that it has an Igbo meaning but I'm not sure whether its an Igbo name. Victor began his NBA career in 2013 as a second overall draft pick by the Orlando Magic. "It's also just a blessing. At Arizona, Iguodala planned to major in education. What development first really means. Ricky Rubio Feels Back to Normal After Comeback Game, Stephen Curry on His Return to Play and Regaining His Rhythm, REPORT: Miami Interested in Buying Out Jae Crowder, Drexel Guard Keishana Washington is One of the Coldest Scorers in the CountryAnd Shes Just Getting Started, How the NBA G League is at the Forefront of Basketball Innovation, from Player Development to Testing New Rules, Frank Jackson on His NBA Journey, Proving Himself and Getting to Play for the City He Calls Home, Stephen Curry Believes Andre Iguodala is Absolutely An Hall of Famer, Andre Iguodala Confirms Hell Return to the Warriors for His 19th Season, Warriors Owner Joe Lacob Fined $500,000 For Calling the Luxury Tax Unfair. #NBABDAY #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/X4xCz3NFvr. He is a Nigerian who migrated to the capital of the United Stage, Springfield, Illinois. The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. I didn't think I'd be able to play at a level like Louisville," he said before the draft. [13] However, on July 25, 2017, Iguodala re-signed with the Warriors[62] on a three-year, $48 million contract. [46][47], On November 11, 2015, Iguodala scored a season-high 20 points against the Memphis Grizzlies to help the Warriors begin the season 90. Hard work, the way you have to handle your business, always working hard, trusting family, just respect, core values and stuff like that.. As part of the trade, he agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with Miami, with the last year being a team option. And once guys realize that, they really get into something that is really healthy for you.. [37] When playing against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 23, 2013, Iguodala strained his left hamstring late in the third quarter. His defensive prowess lies in his ability to gather balls off the rim and offensively, he can put the same balls back in for quick buckets. [36] Iguodala finished with 14 points and 9 assists. He was awarded the Finals MVP in 2015. He reminds me a lot of Kevin Garnett with his package - his athleticism, his skill set," Underwood said. Although the rookie had to adapt to a new culture when he moved from Port Harcourt to the United States in the eighth grade, he knows his upbringing played a vital role in who hes become. Oguodala is known for his savvy business instincts and has been at the forefront of navigating the worlds of venture capital and technology in the Bay Area. Despite the Warriors going up 31 in the series following a Game 4 win, they went on to lose the series in seven games to become the first team in NBA history to lose the championship series after being up 31. He practices Christianity as his religion. Philadelphia was set to face the No. Iguodala averaged career-highs in rebounds, assists, and blocks, and a career-low in personal fouls. Andre Iguodala is currently a player for the Miami Heat. A four-time NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors and one of the leaders of the . Iguodala averaged a career-high 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game through the 82 games. Iguodala was also selected for the 2012 London Olympics team, largely due to his exceptional defensive ability. There have been a few things that Ive invested in that are no longer operating, but Ive learned so much through them. Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois. We felt like we were good enough to medal in the World Cup, but we did the other part of our job to qualify for the Olympics, so that was incredibly fulfilling and an awesome experience to make the people back in Nigeria proud.. He replaced LeBron James in that role. In Game 6 of the series, Iguodala's defense on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook was key to the Warriors forcing Game 7. In Game 7, Iguodala started in place of Harrison Barnes and again marked Kevin Durant. With Iguodala now averaging 40.3 minutes per game, he led the Sixers on a late-season run, finishing the rest of the season 2621 and almost clinching the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, although their late run came more as a result of other teams "tanking" to secure a higher draft pick. Philadelphia also traded veteran big man Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings for a younger center Spencer Hawes; the 76ers also acquired Andrs Nocioni in the deal. Iguodala had a poor playoffs series, averaging 13 points per game. Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Iguodala was listed as the No. [85], Iguodala continued with the Miami Heat in a bench-role for the 202021 season. He scored 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. [92] He helped Team USA win the gold medal against Spain in a 107100 victory. His father is Nigerian, while his mother is of African American origin. Andre Iguodala, who was born on January 28, 1984, will be 38 years old in 2022. pic.twitter.com/xBfn4VKGBm. Thats something that theyve talked about, having a Team Nigeria in Miami, and I think its cool, Erik Spoelstra said. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. [12], Iguodala also won a bronze medal with the U.S. at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2002. And I wouldnt trade anything for my culture and me being from Nigeria.. [31] The Nuggets went on to make the playoffs with a franchise-record 5725, and a team record 15 consecutive wins; however, they were upset in the first round by the Golden State Warriors, despite Iguodala having a good series, averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2 steals per game in the series. "I've added 20 pounds of muscle. Per the Philly Inquirer: "Iguodala's father is. peers remaining, the ones who sculpted paralleling journeys, from being teenagers to experiencing parenthood, from . In the game, he scored 10 points, caught 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. Later that season, he was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve. Andre Tyler Iguodala ( / wdl / ig-w-DAH-l; born January 28, 1984) [1] is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has appeared in three playoffs and two NBA All Stars games proving his potential. [55] On January 16, 2017, he came off the bench to make all five of his field goal attempts for a season-high 14 points in a 12691 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jim, we did it baby! Iguodala is a strong Christian, credited to a famous quote, that: Faith is something I heavily lean on to give me that balance. Im thrilled to be a part of this unique enterprise that is shaping the future of digital Africa., His affirmation was also rechoed by Jumia co-founder Sacha Poignonne who said: Having Andre join our board sends the world the message that Africa has successful companies and great entrepreneurs, and that athletes can play a key role in contributing to their success.. Theres a lot of talent in Africa, Achiuwa said. He was born to Nigerian parents who are pentecostal ministers in Minnesota, with his father Francis a former table tennis player for Nigeria. It was something that I was nervous about because my father wasnt in my life, so I didnt really have like an easy outlet to just figure out my heritage, Adebayo said. Andre Iguodala found himself in recent months in discussions with his few N.B.A. On January 3, 2014, Iguodala hit a game-winning, 3-point buzzer-beater in the Warriors' 101100 win over the Atlanta Hawks. On August 12, 2008, Iguodala reportedly agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract extension with the Sixers. He began his career as the first overall NBA draft pick in 2018. On defense, Giannis swats the ball away with ease. With the second overall pick in the draft, the Sixers made a big splash by drafting Evan Turner. Andre Iguodala is an American professional basketball who has a net worth of $50 million. He protects the paint regularly, implements chase-down blocks, and can even snatch offensive and defensive rebounds. This list will consider the players' impact on the NBA league and their current form and past seasons. In 201415, he became a reserve for the first time in his career, but played a major bench role. You get to experience different cultures. Its no secret that basketball is a global sport. During the 2017 championship run, he further established his legacy as one of the NBAs premier players. Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered I had a similar role to affect the game defensively. His partnership with entrepreneurs in San Franciscos Silicon Valley has led to an annual event tagged Players Technology Summit. His stellar performance, however, wasn't enough and the Phoenix Suns lost to a stronger Milwaukee Bucks but not due to a lack of effort. In his rookie year, Ayton posted noteworthy numbers by averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. This is something for the long run. [40] On March 18, 2015, he scored a then season-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting in a 11495 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Andre Iguodala to remain away from team as Memphis Grizzlies look for trade The Memphis Grizzlies and veteran forward Andre Iguodala have reached an agreement to let him stay away from the. [97], The Sporting News named Iguodala one of "the good guys of 2006" for establishing the Andre Iguodala Disaster Relief Fund that raised money for tornado victims in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois. Theyve gotten here and they want to prove that they belong. [102], Iguodala is a tech investor and a leading advocate for athletes in the NBA to invest in the technology industry. Iguodala joined Jumia as an ambassador and a board member. Giannis is often double-teamed in defense and yet he spins, pivots, or just drives past. Precious Achiuwa, who is one of two players born and raised in Nigeria, was the 20th overall pick and was picked by Miami Heat. I never gave it any serious thought. 6 small forward and the No. Other players involved in the deal included All-Stars Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. His mother is African American, while his father is Nigerian. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. I dont open the door or close the door to any personnel. After earning first-team all-conference honors in the Pac-10 (known now as the Pac-12) as a sophomore in 2004, he was selected in the 2004 NBA draft with the ninth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. You want to play hard for someone who died for you.. However, on December 17, 2013, Iguodala returned to action in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He helped the Philadelphia 76ers clinch the final seed in the playoffs. Iguodala scored a season-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, which included four 3-pointers. The second edition saw other athletes from the NBA like Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown make debuts. He has won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015. You learn to balance your portfolio. Almost instantly, he became a hit, making his mark as one of the league's premier players. 2 seed Detroit. In addition to his numerous basketball achievements, he has found success in the business world with entrepreneurial ventures in technology and e-commerce. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. I bring a mature, consistent approach, both on and off the floor, and I think that'll be beneficial early on," he said about the prospect of playing in the NBA. And we felt like we fell short without getting a medal. Andre Iguodala is born of a Nigerian father and an African-American mother. "He is the most improved player in the country [in 2019-20]. During the year, Andre was the subject of multiple trade rumors that had him being traded to either the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers. The objective of the event is to help startups understand what they need to do to attract investment. Andre Iguodala will return to play his 19th season in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, the veteran announced on his "Point Forward" podcast Friday morning. As guys like Achiuwa, Vincent and Adebayo continue to make a name for themselves, basketball will just continue to get more and more popular in Africa. 26 player in the nation in 2002. Iguodala's mother is African American while his father is Nigerian. Click to reveal Iguodala is a Nigerian name borne by people of Edo in South . Iguodala has played in six NBA finals, out of which five were with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Miami Heat. In the second round, Iguodala helped the Warriors defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games to qualify for the Western Conference Finals. He finished the season averaging 17.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, and 1.7 spg. We went to the Dominican Republic, played there. The Sixers fired head coach Eddie Jordan and brought in Doug Collins. And at around the age of 16, Adebayo felt compelled to delve more into his Nigerian roots. Do you believe significant roster changes might be necessary after this season? The 6' 11" center plays in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns. Free shipping for many products! Africa largest e-commerce platform welcomes Golden State super star Andre Iguodala as a board member. The 6ft 6 shooting guard was raised in Indiana with a southern-Nigerian father and American mother. [53] The Warriors would again play the Cleveland Cavaliers for the championship. He is an American professional basketball . A total of eight players with Nigerian heritage were picked during Wednesday night's NBA draft for the 2020-21 season. The Sixers, however, were a big disappointment, going only 2755 during the regular season and missing the playoffs after two straight playoff berths. We want to be a good representation of what we believe in When you go out there, youre not just representing your country or the NBA, youre representing your beliefs. So he was invited to try out for and in this case, try out for means make the Nigerian Olympic squad. Precious Achiuwa was born in the country, while Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent have one or both parents from Nigeria originally. Andre has left an indelible mark on the NBA, particularly his clutch performance in 2017 that helped the Warriors win the season. This led to the firing of Nuggets coach George Karl, who just won the NBA Coach of the Year Award. In his rookie year, he teamed up with Allen Iverson and would regularly display his leap to convert Iverson Alley Oops into monsterous dunks. He has an older. He has also been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. A 6' 4" shooting guard, he is agile and athletic with exceptional explosive strength. During the 2011 NBA lockout, Iguodala had a week-long internship with Merrill Lynch.[28]. Early on in the year, Iguodala was on a Sixers team with high expectations after signing All-Star forward Elton Brand and seeing the success of forward Thaddeus Young, whom they drafted with their lottery pick the prior year. His arrival in Denver led to some league experts labeling Denver a contender. In 2015 he received the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala #9 NBA SWINGMAN adidas Basketball Jersey XL | Sport, Weitere Ballsportarten, Basketball | eBay!