Precious Ezinna Achiuwa (born September 19, 1999) is a Nigerian professional basketball player who plays as a Forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA).<\/p>
Early Life and High School Career
\nAchiuwa was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and is of Igbo descent. In his childhood, he was mainly dedicated to football. His focus shifted to basketball during eighth grade, a time when he moved to the United States and his family settled in Queens, New York.<\/p>
He began his high school basketball career playing for Our Savior Lutheran School in the Bronx, New York, in his freshman year. For the next two years, he attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. For his senior year, he transferred to the renowned Montverde Academy in Florida, a school known for developing elite basketball talent.<\/p>
College Career
\nAs a highly-rated five-star prospect, Achiuwa chose to play college basketball for the University of Memphis, under coach Penny Hardaway. In his sole season with the Memphis Tigers (2019-2020), he quickly excelled, finishing the season with averages of 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. His performance earned him the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Freshman of the Year and AAC Player of the Year awards, a remarkable feat. After the season ended, he declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft.<\/p>
Professional NBA Career
\nMiami Heat (2020–2021)
\nPrecious Achiuwa was selected by the Miami Heat as the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. On November 25, 2020, he signed his rookie scale contract with the team, beginning his journey in the league. He spent his rookie season as a rotation Power Forward\/Center, contributing with his energy and rebounding ability, before being involved in a major trade.<\/p>
Toronto Raptors (2021–2023)
\nOn August 6, 2021, the Toronto Raptors acquired Achiuwa and Goran Dragić from the Miami Heat as part of a sign-and-trade deal that sent Kyle Lowry to Miami. In Toronto, Achiuwa had more opportunities for development, gradually improving his shooting and defensive versatility. He became an important piece in the Raptors’ rotation, frequently showcasing his physical strength and athleticism.<\/p>
New York Knicks (2023–Present)
\nOn December 30, 2023, Achiuwa was traded again, this time to the New York Knicks, in a trade package that also included OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn, in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and a draft pick. In New York, he continued to demonstrate potential as a strong defender and rebounder.<\/p>
On July 30, 2024, Achiuwa renewed his contract with the Knicks in a one-year deal worth $6 million. He remains a valuable rotation player for the New York team.<\/p>
Playing Style
\nStanding 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 243 pounds, Precious Achiuwa primarily plays as a Power Forward. He is known for his elite athleticism, his ability to protect the rim (blocks), and to retrieve the ball (rebounds), especially offensive ones. While he has shown improvements in his three-point shooting and decision-making, his main value lies in defense and the energy he brings to the court.<\/p>
National Team
\nAchiuwa has represented Nigeria in international competitions, including the Olympic Games, reinforcing his ties to his home nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":48105,"template":"","categories":[1],"class_list":["post-48104","nba-player","type-nba-player","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n