Precious Achiuwa facts for kids
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Achiuwa with the Toronto Raptors in 2021
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| No. 5 – New York Knicks | |
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| Power forward / center | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 19, 1999 Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 243 lb (110 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Memphis (2019–2020) |
| NBA Draft | 2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 20th overall |
| Selected by the Miami Heat | |
| Pro career | 2020–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2020–2021 | Miami Heat |
| 2021–2023 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2023–present | New York Knicks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Precious Ezinna Achiuwa (born September 19, 1999) is a professional basketball player from Nigeria. He plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA), which is the highest level of basketball in the world. Precious is known for being a strong power forward and center. He moved to the United States for high school, where he became a top player and was even named a McDonald's All-American. He played college basketball for the Memphis Tigers and was named the best player in his conference as a freshman in 2020. Precious was chosen by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft and has also played for the Toronto Raptors.
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Precious Achiuwa's Early Life and Basketball Start
Growing Up in Nigeria and Moving to the U.S.
Precious Achiuwa was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. His parents are from the Igbo group. When he was very young, he mostly played soccer. He started focusing on basketball when he was in eighth grade, which was also when he moved to the United States. Precious and his family settled in Queens, New York.
High School Basketball Journey
As a freshman in high school, Precious played basketball for Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx, New York. For his next two years, he went to St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. This school had a very strong basketball program, and Precious played alongside other talented players who would go on to play in college. In his junior year, he was amazing, averaging 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.2 steals per game. He helped his team win 28 games and only lose 2. Because of his great play, he was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-American second team.
Before his senior year, Precious moved to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. This school also had a very successful basketball program. Precious led Montverde with 14 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He helped his team reach the semifinals of a big national high school tournament. He received many awards, including MaxPreps All-American fifth team and USA Today All-USA third team. On March 27, 2019, he played in the famous McDonald's All-American Game, where he scored the most points with 22. A few weeks later, he also played in the Nike Hoop Summit.
Choosing a College Team
On May 17, 2019, Precious decided to play college basketball for the Memphis Tigers. He chose to play for coach Penny Hardaway. At Memphis, he joined his former teammate Lester Quinones and James Wiseman, who was considered the best player in the 2019 high school class.
Precious Achiuwa's College Basketball Career
Freshman Year Success at Memphis
Precious Achiuwa made a strong start in his first game for Memphis. He scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Tigers won against South Carolina State. On November 23, he had his best game of the season, scoring 25 points in a close 87–86 win over Ole Miss. This performance earned him the title of American Athletic Conference player of the week.
He continued to impress, earning freshman of the week honors in December after scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds against Jackson State. By the end of the regular season, Precious was named both the AAC Player of the Year and the AAC Freshman of the Year. This was a huge achievement for a first-year player! He averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. After his amazing freshman season, he decided to enter the 2020 NBA draft to become a professional player.
Precious Achiuwa's Professional Basketball Journey
Starting in the NBA with the Miami Heat (2020–2021)
Precious Achiuwa was chosen by the Miami Heat as the 20th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. This was a big moment, as he officially became an NBA player. On November 25, 2020, he signed his first contract with the Heat.
Playing for the Toronto Raptors (2021–2023)
On August 6, 2021, Precious was traded to the Toronto Raptors as part of a deal that sent Kyle Lowry to the Heat. He made his debut with the Raptors on October 20, 2021, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds. On November 24, 2021, Precious showed off his shooting skills by making a career-high three 3-pointers. He finished that game with 17 points, helping the Raptors win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Joining the New York Knicks (2023–Present)
On December 30, 2023, Precious Achiuwa was traded again, this time to the New York Knicks. He joined the Knicks along with OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn. In return, the Raptors received RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a draft pick.
On July 30, 2024, Precious re-signed with the Knicks for another year. However, on October 20, the Knicks announced that he had a strained left hamstring, which meant he would miss the start of the season for a few weeks.
Precious Achiuwa's Personal Life
Precious Achiuwa comes from a family of athletes. His older brother, God'sgift Achiuwa, also played college basketball for St. John's from 2011 to 2014. Precious's mother, Eunice, and father, Donatus, are both ministers. Besides God'sgift, he has two other brothers named God'swill and Promise, and two sisters named Grace and Peace.
See also
In Spanish: Precious Achiuwa para niños
