Ejike Ugboaja

Ejike Christopher Ugboaja (born 28 May 1985) is a Nigerian professional basketball player who last played for BC Mark Mentors of the Nigerian Premier Basketball League (NPBL). He is also the founder of Ejike Ugboaja Foundation.^[1]

Ejike Ugboaja

Personal information
Born	(1985-05-28) 28 May 1985 (age 39) Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
NBA draft	2006: 2nd round, 55th overall pick
Drafted by	Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career	2003–2016
Position	Power forward
Career history
2003–2004	Yelwa Hawks
2004–2006	UB Lagos
2006	Kager Gdynia
2007	APOEL Nicosia
2007–2008	Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2008	Anaheim Arsenal
2008–2009	Azad University
2009	Azovmash Mariupol
2010	Petrochimi Bandar Imam
2010	Ford Burgos
2011–2012	Jahesh Tarabar Qom
2013	Utena Juventus
2013–2014	İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi
2014	BC Mark Mentors
2016	Kano Pillars Basket
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  Nigeria FIBA Africa Championship 2011 Madagascar National Team

Professional career

Ugboaja was selected in the 2006 NBA draft by the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers, in the second round with the 55th pick overall.^[2] He was a member of the Cavaliers during the 2006–07 season, but did not play in any regular season games with the team. He played in the 2nd-tier Eurocup with Azovmash Mariupol^[3] and with BC Odesa.^[4]

Nigerian national team

Ugboaja competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2007 FIBA Africa Championship, the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship, and the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship with Nigeria. He also played at the 2012 Summer Olympics, with the senior men's Nigerian national basketball team.

Awards and honours

On 28 May 2023, President of Nigeria Mohammadu Buhari honoured Ejike Ugboaja with an Order of the Federal Republic membership.^[5]