Ike Anigbogu facts for kids

Christopher Ike Anigbogu (born October 17, 1998) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League. Before turning pro, Ike played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins. He was a key player for the Bruins team that reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. After his college season, the Indiana Pacers picked him in the 2017 NBA draft.

Ike Anigbogu's Early Life and High School Basketball

Ike Anigbogu was born in San Diego, California. His parents, Chris and Veronica Anigbogu, are from Nigeria. Ike started playing basketball at Temescal Canyon High in Lake Elsinore. He played on their junior varsity team as a freshman.

Moving to Centennial High School

The next year, Ike moved to Centennial High in Corona. He was also part of the International Baccalaureate program there. As a sophomore, he was 6 feet 7 inches tall but still quite thin. He helped his team reach the state finals.

Junior and Senior Year Challenges

In 2015, during his junior year, Ike led his team to the state regional finals. They lost to Chino Hills, a team led by future NBA star Lonzo Ball. In his senior year, Ike faced some challenges. He had to take three weeks off to go to Nigeria for a family funeral. He also dealt with a knee injury during the playoffs. Despite these issues, his team had a great record of 20 wins and 5 losses when he played. He averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game that season.

Ike Anigbogu's College Basketball Career

Ike Anigbogu was considered one of the top 50 basketball recruits in the country. He decided to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He joined a group of talented freshmen, including Lonzo Ball and T. J. Leaf. Ike and Leaf had played together on an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team called the Compton Magic. Their coach, David Grace, later became an assistant coach at UCLA. These new players were expected to help improve the UCLA basketball program.

Playing for the UCLA Bruins

Ike missed the first five games of the 2016–17 season. He had knee surgery after tearing a part of his right knee during practice. When he returned, he brought a strong physical presence to the team. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds, Ike was known for his exciting dunks and powerful blocks. He never started a game, playing as a backup to junior center Thomas Welsh. However, he became one of the team's best defenders.

NCAA Tournament and NBA Draft

Ike sprained his left foot before the NCAA tournament. He missed UCLA's first game but returned in the second round. He scored six points and blocked a shot in just seven minutes, helping his team win. The Bruins finished the season with 31 wins. They were eliminated in the Sweet 16 round of the tournament. For the season, Ike averaged 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13 minutes per game. He made 56 percent of his shots. His 35 blocks were the third-highest on the team, even though he played much less than other players. After the season, Ike decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft. Even with limited playing time and still developing his offensive skills, teams valued his athleticism and potential as a great defender.

Ike Anigbogu's Professional Basketball Journey

Time with the Indiana Pacers (2017–2019)

Before the 2017 NBA draft, Ike Anigbogu had a tryout with the Indiana Pacers. He twisted his right knee during this workout, which stopped him from doing any more tryouts. Because of concerns about his knee, his draft position fell. The Pacers still chose him in the second round as the 47th overall pick. His UCLA teammate, T. J. Leaf, was also picked by the Pacers in the first round. Ike had surgery on his knee and missed the NBA Summer League while recovering.

He made his NBA debut on October 20, 2017. He played two minutes in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. At just 19 years old, he was the youngest player in the NBA during the 2017–18 season. In his first year, he played 11 games with the Pacers. He also spent a lot of time playing for their NBA G League team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

During the next offseason, Ike missed his second straight summer league. He had another minor knee surgery. He played only three games for the Pacers in the 2018–19 season. The Pacers then released him on February 7, 2019, as part of a trade deal. He had spent most of his time in the G League, playing well for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He averaged 11.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 21 games. However, he did miss some games due to knee soreness.

Playing for the Erie BayHawks (2020–2021)

On January 31, 2020, the Erie BayHawks picked up Ike Anigbogu. This team was the G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans. He played six games for them, averaging 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Ike signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in December 2020 but was released after the preseason. He then rejoined the BayHawks for the 2020–21 G League season. This season was played in a "bubble" in Orlando, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 1, he was released again after getting a season-ending injury.

Time with the Birmingham Squadron (2022; 2024–present)

On January 20, 2022, the Birmingham Squadron acquired Ike Anigbogu. However, he was released on February 28 after suffering another season-ending injury. Ike returned to play for the Squadron on January 12, 2024.

Ike Anigbogu's Career Statistics

Here are some of Ike Anigbogu's basketball statistics from his career.

NBA Regular Season Stats

NBA G League Regular Season Stats

College Stats

See also

In Spanish: Ike Anigbogu para niños