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{{short description|Nigerian basketball player}}{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

factoids

| birth_place = Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria| high_school = Worcester Academy(Worcester, Massachusetts)Maryland Terrapins men's basketball>Maryland (1995–1999)| draft_year = 1999| draft_round = 2| draft_pick = 37| draft_team = Vancouver Grizzlies| career_start = 1999| career_end = 20071999 team1 = Vancouver Grizzlies2000 team2 = Washington Wizards2000 team3 = Dallas Mavericks2001 team4 = Los Angeles Clippers team5 = Red Star Belgrade team6 = Columbus Riverdragons2004 team7 = Atlanta Hawks team8 = Virtus Roma team9 = Dynamo Moscow| highlights =}}Obinna Ralph Ekezie (born August 22, 1975) is a Nigerian former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and other leagues. His name, Obinna, means "Father's heart". He is a direct descendant of the 19th century Igbo warrior and businessman Duruike Akubugali, hence hails from Obor Autonomous Community in Orlu Urban Local Government Area of Imo State.Meaning of Obinna in Nigerian.name

Career

Obinna Ekezie moved to the US when he was 18 years old to continue his education and play high school basketball at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts for two years (1993-1995)weblink A 6'10" 270 lb center, Ekezie was selected with the 37th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies after playing with the Maryland Terrapins from 1995–1999. Obinna prepared for college at Worcester Academy, graduating in 1995.Ekezie played for five NBA teams (1999–2005), and also professionally with Red Star Belgrade (Serbia), Lottomatica Roma (Italy),Dynamo tabs big man Ekezie, November 29, 2006 and Dynamo Moscow. Ekezie was invited to Atlanta Hawks training camp where he was a leading scorer averaging 11.8 points on 48.8 field goal percentage. Ekezie then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on October 13, 2005, in an exhibition game after landing awkwardly.WEB, Ekezie out indefinitely with knee injury,weblink UPI, en, 2020-05-12, Ekezie is the founder of ZeepTravel and Wakanow, online businesses allowing travel services for those going to and from America and Africa.

Notes

External links

• NBA.com player profile
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071023075315weblink">College & NBA stats @ basketballreference.com
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070926234943weblink">Dynamo player profile

{{1999 NBA draft}}{{Nigeria-basketball-bio-stub}}