AFCON 2025
Precious Achiuwa is one of several Nigerians who have beaten the odds, to attain success at the highest level of sports. Following in the footsteps of the great Hakeem Olajuwon, Achiuwa left Nigeria for the United States to chase a dream, and wrote his own story.
Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the 6 ft 8 power forward did not start playing basketball until eighth grade, a decision that turned out to be life-altering and ultimately life-saving.
This is the story of New York Knicks, Nigerian-born superstar Precious Achiuwa.
Who is Precious Achiuwa?
Precious Achiuwa is a Nigerian professional basketball sensation who’s been making waves in the NBA. Born on September 19, 1999, Achiuwa’s basketball journey began in the United States, where he attended high school and quickly gained recognition as a consensus five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American.
Achiuwa’s college stint with the Memphis Tigers was impressive, earning him the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year award as a freshman in 2020.
His stellar performance caught the attention of NBA scouts, and he was subsequently selected by the Miami Heat with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft.
After a promising rookie season with the Heat, Achiuwa was traded to the Toronto Raptors during the 2021 offseason. He currently plays for the New York Knicks.
Early Life
Precious Achiuwa was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to parents of Igbo descent. Growing up, Achiuwa was more into soccer than basketball, but things took a dramatic turn when he moved to the United States in eighth grade.
Settling in Queens, New York, Achiuwa started focusing on basketball. By the time he was a high school freshman, he was already playing for Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx. Over the next two years, he attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. There, he was part of a nationally ranked basketball program and played alongside several NCAA Division I recruits.
Achiuwa’s impressive junior season saw him average 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.2 steals per game, leading his team to a 28-2 record. He earned a spot on the MaxPreps Junior All-American second team and caught the attention of top college programs.
For his senior year, Achiuwa transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, a prep school with a reputation for producing top basketball talent. He led the team with 14 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, helping them reach the semifinals at GEICO High School Nationals. Achiuwa’s impressive performance earned him the MaxPreps All-American fifth team. USA Today All-USA third team, and USA Today All-USA Florida first-team honors.
The highlights of Achiuwa’s high school career included playing in the McDonald’s All-American Game, where he scored 22 points, and joining the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit. In May 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for Memphis under head coach Penny Hardaway, joining forces with his former AAU teammate Lester Quinones and top recruit James Wiseman.
College Career
Precious Achiuwa’s college career at Memphis was nothing short of impressive. In his debut, he dropped 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, helping the Tigers crush South Carolina State 97-64.
He continued to shine throughout the season, earning American Athletic Conference Player and Freshman of the Year honors.
Achiuwa’s standout performance came against Ole Miss, where he scored a season-high 25 points in an 87-86 win. He consistently demonstrated his skills, averaging 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game as a freshman. After just one season, Achiuwa declared for the 2020 NBA draft.
NBA Career: Miami Heat
The Miami Heat selected Achiuwa with the 20th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Heat on November 25, 2020.
However, his time in Miami was short-lived. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal involving Kyle Lowry.
Achiuwa’s time with the Raptors saw him make his season debut with eight points, six rebounds, and two assists in a 96-83 loss to the Washington Wizards. He went on to achieve a career-high three 3-pointers while scoring 17 points in a win against the Grizzlies.
The New York Knicks acquired Precious Achiuwa in a trade with the Toronto Raptors in December 2023, sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round draft pick in exchange for Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, and Malachi Flynn. Achiuwa then re-signed with the Knicks on a one-year, $6 million deal in July 2024.
However, Achiuwa suffered a strained left hamstring, which ruled him out for 2-4 weeks, derailing his 2024-2025 season.
Precious Achiuwa networth
Precious Achiuwa has an estimated net worth of around $8 million, primarily through his NBA contracts, endorsements, and sponsorships.
The Miami Heat valued his rookie contract at approximately $12.5 million over four years. Achiuwa also secures income through endorsement deals with brands like Nike.
According to Spotrac, the New York Knicks pay Achiuwa $6 million. He signed this one-year deal on July 30, 2024, guaranteeing $6 million.
Personal life
Precious Achiuwa has kept his relationships private, with no known spouse at the time of writing. The New York Knicks star has a life outside basketball though. He learned to DJ during the 2020 pandemic and has since explored performing at more events. Fashion is another passion, with Achiuwa preferring personal, meaningful outfits that pay homage to his Nigerian heritage.
He also returned to his hometown of Port Harcourt for the first time in seven years to host a basketball camp through his non-profit foundation, WHAT IF UNLIMITED.
The camp drew nearly double the expected number of kids. It was a poignant reminder of Achiuwa’s journey and the impact he can have on his community. “It was amazing,” he says.
“These kids have probably never been around an NBA player before, and for them to see someone from the same place as them, that was special.”
Precious Achiuwa: Siblings
Precious Achiuwa has five siblings: Godsgift Achiuwa, Promise Achiuwa, Grace Achiuwa, Peace Achiuwa, and Godswill Achiuwa.
Stay connected with Precious Achiuwa on social media:
Follow him on Instagram: @Precious
Follow him on X: @PreciousAchiuwa
