Obinna Ekezie
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 22, 1975 Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Origin = Obor, Orlu, Imo State |
| Nationality | Nigerian/American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 268 lb (122 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Worcester Academy (Worcester, Massachusetts) |
| College | Maryland (1995–1999) |
| NBA draft | 1999 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37th overall |
| Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies | |
| Playing career | 1999–2007 |
| Position | Center |
| Career history | |
| 1999–2000 | Vancouver Grizzlies |
| 2000–2001 | Washington Wizards |
| 2001 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2001–2002 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2002-2003 | Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) |
| 2004-2005 | Columbus Riverdragons (D-League) |
| 2005 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2006 | Virtus Roma (Italy) |
| 2006-2007 | Dynamo Moscow (Russia) |
Obinna Ralph Ekezie (born August 22, 1975) is a Nigerian former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and other leagues. His name, Obinna, means "Father´s heart. He is a direct descendant of the 19th century Igbo warrior and businessman Duruike Akubugali, hence hails from Obor Autonomous Community in Orlu Urban Local Government Area of Imo State.[1]
Career
A 6'9" 270 lb center, Ekezie was selected with the 37th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies after playing with the Maryland Terrapins from 1995–1999. Obinna prepared for college at Worcester Academy, graduating in 1995.
Ekezie played for five NBA teams (1999–2005), and also professionally with Red Star Belgrade (Serbia), Lottomatica Roma (Italy),[2] and Dynamo Moscow.[2]
Ekezie is the founder of ZeepTravel, an online business allowing travel services for those going to and from America and Africa.
Notes
- ↑ Meaning of Obinna in Nigerian.name
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dynamo tabs big man Ekezie, November 29, 2006
External links
- NBA.com player profile
- College & NBA stats @ basketballreference.com
- Dynamo player profile
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- 1975 births
- Living people
- ABA League players
- Atlanta Hawks players
- BC Dynamo Moscow players
- Centers (basketball)
- Dallas Mavericks players
- Expatriate basketball people in Italy
- Expatriate basketball people in Serbia
- Expatriate sportspeople in Canada
- KK Crvena zvezda players
- Los Angeles Clippers players
- Maryland Terrapins men's basketball players
- National Basketball Association players from Nigeria
- Nigerian expatriate basketball people in the United States
- Nigerian expatriates in Italy
- Nigerian expatriates in Russia
- Pallacanestro Virtus Roma players
- Sportspeople from Port Harcourt
- Vancouver Grizzlies draft picks
- Vancouver Grizzlies players
- Washington Wizards players
- Nigerian sportspeople stubs
- African basketball biography stubs
