Precious Achiuwa was born to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent. The athlete is often the star of the show, enticing the audience with his basketball skills. Achiuwa recently received recognition for exceeding expectations and stepping up for the injury-plagued New York Knicks. Let’s meet Precious Achiuwa’s parents, who supported him a lot in his rise to the highest level of basketball.
Precious Achiuwa (born September 19, 1999) is a Nigerian professional basketball player. He now plays the wing for the NBA’s New York Knicks. As a freshman in the United States, Achiuwa played basketball for Our Savior Lutheran School in New York. Similarly, he went to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School and Montverde Academy before playing for the University of Memphis.
Achiuwa was named AAC Player and Freshman of the Year while playing for the Memphis Tigers in college. After an outstanding freshman season, Achiuwa declared for the 2020 NBA Draft. He was selected 20th in the first round by the Miami Heat. The athlete was transferred to the Toronto Raptors after his first season in Miami. Similarly, he spent the next two seasons with the Raptors until joining the Knicks in 2023.
Meet the precious parents of Achiuwa
Precious Achiuwa was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria to parents Donatus and Eunice Achiuwa. According to reports, both his parents were Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria. So, Achiuwa’s occupation reflects the principles laid down by his parents. The football player grew up in a rather large family. He has three brothers (God’s gift, God’s will and Promise) and two sisters (Grace and Peace).
As a result, his family had a significant influence on his growth as a player and person. Interestingly, his parents named him ‘Precious’ from the Bible. The same applies to his five siblings. Achiuwa also appreciates the contribution of his parents in instilling the virtue of helping others. “My father worked with a lot of kids who didn’t have much,” Achiuwa told ANDSCAPE.com in 2021.
As a result, the NBA star loved giving back to the youth. The Achiuwas made sure that the children had clothes on their backs and food on their tables. Later, Achiuwa’s parents supported his migration to the United States at the age of 14.
“I am a baby, and my parents have returned home. It was hard to leave home. But they let me go so young,” Achiuwa said.
All in all, Eunice and Donatus were a source of support and motivation for the player. Additionally, their impact on Precious’ growth cannot be overstated.
Achiuwa was inspired by his brother
Precious’ older brother, God’s gift Achiuwa had an impressive basketball career at the University of St. John’s from 2011 to 2014. God’sgift reportedly started playing basketball in his early teens. Former Erie Community College coach Alex Nwora noticed him during a basketball camp in Nigeria in 2008. The 6-foot-8 forward left Nigeria in 2009 to pursue a college basketball career after Nwora offered him a scholarship.
God’sgift eventually moved to St. John’s, where he became a defensive specialist during the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. He received a scholarship for Precious to attend Our Savior’s Lutheran School in the Bronx. Although leaving Nigeria was difficult, God’s gift of basketball strategy and leadership made the experience easier for his brother.
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Source: vcmp.edu.vn