Ike Anigbogu Explained

Ike Anigbogu
Position:Center
Height Ft:6
Height In:10
Weight Lb:252
League:NBA G League
Team:Birmingham Squadron
Number:15
Birth Date:1998 10, mf=yes
Birth Place:San Diego, California, U.S.
High School:Centennial (Corona, California)
College:UCLA (2016–2017)
Draft Year:2017
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:47
Draft Team:Indiana Pacers
Career Start:2017
Years1:–
Team1:Indiana Pacers
Years2:2017–2019
Team2:→Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Years3:2020–2021
Team3:Erie BayHawks
Years4:2022–present
Team4:Birmingham Squadron
Bbr:anigbik01

Christopher Ike Anigbogu (born October 17, 1998) is an American professional basketball for the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins. As a freshman, he was a key reserve for a Bruins squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. After the season, Anigbogu was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft with the 47th overall pick. He played two seasons for the Pacers.

Early life

Anigbogu was born in San Diego, California, to Nigerian parents Chris and Veronica Anigbogu.[1] He attended Temescal Canyon High in Lake Elsinore as a freshman and played on their junior varsity team.[2] The following year, he transferred to Centennial High in Corona, where he was also enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. A skinny, 6inchesft7inchesin (ftin) sophomore, he averaged two points and 2.5 rebounds per game as the Huskies advanced to the state finals.[2]

As a junior in 2015, Anigbogu led the team to the state regional finals, where the Huskies lost to Chino Hills, who were led by Lonzo Ball.[3] In his senior year, he was limited by injuries and a family emergency.[4] Anigbogu took three weeks off to attend an uncle's funeral in Nigeria.[5] During the playoffs, he was limited by an injured knee. For the season, the Huskies were 20–5 when Anigbogu played. He finished with averages of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.[4]

College career

Ranked nationally as a consensus top-50 recruit, Anigbogu attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was part of a Bruins freshmen class that included more heralded five-star players like Ball and T. J. Leaf.[6] Anigbogu and Leaf had played on the same Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, the Compton Magic, who had also been coached by UCLA assistant David Grace.[2] The newcomers were expected to help turn around a program that a year earlier had suffered its fourth losing season in the previous 68 years.[7]

Anigbogu missed the first five games of the 2016–17 season when he underwent knee surgery after tearing his right meniscus in practice.[8] [9] [10] The Bruins' most intimidating player,[10] he returned to provide UCLA a physical presence they lacked.[11] Standing at 6feet and, Anigbogu provided highlight-reel dunks and blocks.[10] Despite never starting as a backup to junior center Thomas Welsh,[12] [13] he became arguably their top defender.[14] [15]

After spraining his left foot during practice, Anigbogu missed UCLA's opener in the NCAA tournament against Kent State, but returned in the second round to score six points and block a shot in just seven minutes in a win over Cincinnati.[10] The Bruins finished the season with 31 wins after being eliminated in the Sweet 16.[7] For the year, Anigbogu averaged 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13 minutes per game, and made 56 percent of his field goals[12] [13] His 35 blocks ranked third on the team while his minutes played were less than half as many as Welsh (43 blocks) and Leaf (39).[10] [16] Projected to be a late first-round pick, Anigbogu announced after the season that he would declare for the 2017 NBA draft.[17] Even with his limited playing time and raw offensive skills,[12] [15] [18] he was valued for his athleticism and potential as a standout defender.[15] [19]

Professional career

Indiana Pacers (2017–2019)

Working out for the Indiana Pacers in his fourth pre-draft tryout, Anigbogu twisted his right knee, which precluded him from participating in any further workouts leading up to the draft.[20] His draft stock fell over concerns about his knee, and the Pacers selected him in the second round with the 47th overall pick. He was joined in Indiana by UCLA teammate Leaf, who the Pacers had selected in the first round.[21] Anigbogu had surgery to repair cartilage in his knee and missed the NBA Summer League while rehabbing.[20] [22] He made his NBA debut on October 20, 2017, playing two minutes in a 114–96 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.[23] At just 19 years old,he was the youngest player in the NBA in 2017–18.[24] In his first season, he played 11 games with the Pacers, and had multiple assignments to their NBA G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[25] [26]

During the offseason, Anigbogu missed his second straight summer league after undergoing minor surgery on his knee.[27] [28] He played just three games for the Pacers in 2018–19 before they waived him to complete a deal at the NBA trade deadline on February 7, 2019.[29] [30] He had spent most of his time in the G League and was playing well, averaging 11.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21 games with Fort Wayne. However, he missed several games due to knee soreness.[31] [32]

Erie BayHawks (2020–2021)

On January 31, 2020, the Erie BayHawks—the G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans—acquired Anigbogu off waivers.[33] He played six games and averaged 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.[34]

Anigbogu signed with New Orleans in December 2020,[34] but he was waived after the preseason.[35] He rejoined the BayHawks for the 2020–21 G League season, scheduled to be played in a bubble in Orlando, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[36] On March 1, he was waived after suffering a season-ending injury.[37]

Birmingham Squadron (2022; 2024–present)

On January 20, 2022, Anigbogu was acquired via returning player rights by the Birmingham Squadron.[38] However, he was waived on February 28 after suffering a season-ending injury.

On January 12, 2024, Aninogbu returned to the Squadron.[39]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Indiana| 11 || 0 || 2.7 || .444 || — || .833 || .8 || .0 || .1 || .3 || 1.2|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Indiana| 3 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || — || — || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || .3 || 0.0|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 14 || 0 || 2.6 || .333 || — || .833 || .9 || .1 || .1 || .3 || 0.9

NBA G League

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18| style="text-align:left;"| Fort Wayne| 20 || 20 || 24.5 || .525 || .000 || .703 || 6.4 || 1.1 || .3 || 1.7 || 8.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Fort Wayne| 21 || 21 || 27.2 || .468 || .000 || .647 || 9.6 || .7 || .4 || 1.9 || 11.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Erie| 6 || 0 || 13.7 || .615 || .455 || .500 || 4.8 || .5 || .3 || .8 || 9.5|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 47 || 41 || 24.3 || .504 || .385 || .661 || 7.6 || .8 || .4 || 1.7 || 9.9

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17| style="text-align:left;"| UCLA| 29 || 0 || 13.0 || .564 || — || .535 || 4.0 || .2 || .2 || 1.2 || 4.7

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ike Anigbogu. UCLABruins.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170408155817/http://www.uclabruins.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4743. April 8, 2017. live.
  2. News: Fowler. Clay. How UCLA built its best roster since Kevin Love joined Russell Westbrook. March 15, 2017. Los Angeles Daily News. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410050944/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170315/how-ucla-built-its-best-roster-since-kevin-love-joined-russell-westbrook. April 10, 2017. live.
  3. News: Whicker . Mark . UCLA freshman Ike Anigbogu is the last line of defense . March 5, 2017 . Los Angeles Daily News . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112549/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170305/whicker-ucla-freshman-ike-anigbogu-is-the-last-line-of-defense . April 9, 2017 . live .
  4. News: Pareneti . Jeffrey . ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: All-Inland first-team selections . April 16, 2016 . The Press-Enterprise . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409111840/http://www.pe.com/articles/first-800145-team-players.html . April 9, 2017 . live .
  5. News: Zink . David . Huskies Anigbogu learns lesson in appreciation during trip to Nigeria . January 12, 2016 . The Press-Enterprise . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409113158/http://www.pe.com/articles/anigbogu-791533-basketball-family.html . April 9, 2017 . live .
  6. News: Hines . Travis . UCLA freshman to miss 4-6 weeks with knee injury . October 25, 2016 . College Basketball Talk . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409111222/http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2016/10/25/ucla-freshman-to-miss-4-6-weeks-with-knee-injury/ . April 9, 2017 . live .
  7. News: Fowler. Clay. Thrilling ride made UCLA basketball's season-ending loss sting. March 25, 2017. Los Angeles Daily News. https://web.archive.org/web/20170411074719/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170325/thrilling-ride-made-ucla-basketballs-season-ending-loss-sting. April 11, 2017. live.
  8. News: Bolch . Ben . Ike Anigbogu is the latest heralded freshman who could soon make his debut for the UCLA men's basketball team . November 22, 2016 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112052/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-basketball-20161122-story.html . April 9, 2017 . live .
  9. News: Fowler . Clay . UCLA basketball loses prized freshman Ike Anigbogu for 4-6 weeks . October 25, 2016 . The Orange County Register . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409111801/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ucla-733361-season-last.html . April 9, 2017 . live .
  10. News: Bolch . Ben . Bruins can use more roaring success from Ike Anigbogu when they meet Kentucky . March 21, 2017 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409084526/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-basketball-20170321-story.html . April 9, 2017 . live .
  11. News: Fowler . Clay . UCLA's Ike Anigbogu not looking ahead to Kentucky . November 29, 2016 . Los Angeles Daily News . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112125/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20161129/uclas-ike-anigbogu-not-looking-ahead-to-kentucky . April 9, 2017 . live .
  12. News: Fowler . Clay . Ike Anigbogu becomes UCLA's third freshman to leave for NBA . April 5, 2017 . The Orange County Register . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409201804/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/draft-748590-account-twitter.html . April 9, 2017 . live .
  13. News: UCLA's Anigbogu joins Ball and Leaf in leaving for NBA draft. April 5, 2017. USA Today. AP. https://web.archive.org/web/20170409133059/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2017/04/05/uclas-anigbogu-joins-ball-and-leaf-in-leaving-for-nba-draft/100091302/. April 9, 2017. live.
  14. News: Tjarks . Jonathan . UCLA Is the National Champion America Needs. March 14, 2017. The Ringer. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705005121/https://theringer.com/ucla-national-title-lonzo-ball-march-madness-cd68fc2ec4a8. July 5, 2017. live.
  15. News: Fischer. Jake. Woo. Jeremy. Sweet 16: The Best NBA Prospects Remaining In March Madness. March 23, 2017. SI.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112312/https://www.si.com/nba/2017/03/23/ncaa-tournament-nba-draft-kentucky-ucla-north-carolina-lonzo-ball. April 9, 2017. live.
  16. Web site: 2016-2017 Men's Basketball Cumulative Statistics. UCLABruins.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170409155220/http://www.uclabruins.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2016. April 9, 2017. live.
  17. News: Goodman . Jeff . UCLA freshman Anigbogu hasn't hired agent, but he's testing market . April 6, 2017 . ESPN.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112533/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19085761/ucla-freshman-ike-anigbogu-declaring-nba-draft . April 9, 2017 . live .
  18. News: Bolch. Ben. UCLA could leave its mark on this year's NBA draft class with Lonzo Ball and several of his teammates. February 27, 2017. Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410051516/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-ball-20170227-story.html. April 10, 2017. live.
  19. News: Bolch. Ben. UCLA's Ike Anigbogu declares for the NBA draft. April 5, 2017. Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410051031/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-anigbogu-nba-20170405-story.html. April 10, 2017. live.
  20. News: Taylor. Nate. Pacers see potential rewards in drafting Ike Anigbogu, Edmond Sumner. June 28, 2017. Indianapolis Star. https://web.archive.org/web/20201023063445/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2017/06/28/pacers-see-potential-rewards-drafting-anigbogu-sumner/433373001/. October 23, 2020. live.
  21. News: Botemps. Tim. The biggest winners and losers from the 2017 NBA draft. June 23, 2017. The Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711232035/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/06/23/the-biggest-winners-and-losers-from-the-2017-nba-draft/. July 11, 2017. live.
  22. News: Montieth. Mark. Second-Round Picks Will Need Time to Heal. June 28, 2017. Pacers.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170906094205/http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/second-round-picks-will-need-time-heal. September 6, 2017. live.
  23. Web site: Archived copy . . 2017-10-21 . 2017-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171021115504/http://www.nba.com/games/20171020/PORIND#/boxscore . dead .
  24. News: Hotchkiss. Wheat. The Fort Report: Anigbogu, Mad Ants Sweep Pair of Home Games. January 10, 2018. Pacers.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308102830/http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/fort-report-anigbogu-mad-ants-sweep-pair-home-games. March 8, 2018. live.
  25. Web site: Pacers Recall Anigbogu. November 21, 2017. NBA.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20171126052929/http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers-recall-anigbogu. November 26, 2017. live.
  26. Web site: 2018-19 NBA Assignments. NBA.com. November 9, 2018.
  27. News: Michael. J.. After another knee procedure, Ike Anigbogu feels optimistic about 2nd season with Pacers. September 24, 2018. Indianapolis Star. February 10, 2019.
  28. Pacers. Indiana Pacers. 1013494360850223105. July 1, 2018. Ike Anigbogu had minor surgery on his leg, which is keeping him out of Summer League this year. "We're just taking it day by day, step by step.". February 10, 2019.
  29. Web site: Pacers Waive Anigbogu. NBA.com. February 7, 2019. February 7, 2019.
  30. News: Glaspie. Akeem. Pacers receive high grades for Wes Matthews signing. February 8, 2019. Indianapolis Star. February 10, 2019.
  31. News: Anigbogu recalled from Fort Wayne but won't play Thursday. February 7, 2019. Fox Sports Indiana. February 8, 2019.
  32. News: Agness. Scott. Pacers acquire second-round pick at deadline, plan to add veteran Wesley Matthews. February 7, 2019. The Athletic. February 10, 2019. subscription . Anigbogu, who has played just six minutes this season, has spent most of his time in Fort Wayne with the Mad Ants and sat out several games due to knee soreness..
  33. News: BayHawks Acquire Ike Anigbogu. January 31, 2020. NBA.com. January 31, 2020. February 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200203014949/https://erie.gleague.nba.com/news/bayhawks-acquire-ike-anigbogu/. dead.
  34. News: Pelicans sign four players. December 2, 2020. NBA.com. December 3, 2020.
  35. Web site: Pelicans waive four. December 19, 2020. NBA.com. December 20, 2020.
  36. News: Erie BayHawks' preseason roster includes 3 returnees for NBA G League season. June 13, 2021. Erie Times-News. January 16, 2021.
  37. News: NBA G League Transactions. NBA.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306044025/https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/. March 6, 2021. 2021-03-06.
  38. Web site: 2021-22 NBA G League Transactions. gleague.nba.com. March 31, 2022.
  39. Web site: Birmingham Squadron Sign Ike Anigbogu. NBA.com. January 12, 2024. January 12, 2024.

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