| Denver Nuggets name Masai Ujiri General Manager |
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| The NBA’s Denver Nuggets have named Nigerian Masai Ujiri as the teams’ executive vice president of Basketball operations and in effect the teams' General Manager. Ujiri is widely known in basketball circles as one of the top evaluators of African talent and previously worked as an assistant GM with the Toronto Raptors while assisting with the coordination of the Nigerian basketball team. Prior to joining the Raptors, Ujiri began his NBA front office journey as a scout with the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets upon finishing a collegiate basketball stint in the United States and a playing career in Europe. The Zaria born Ujiri will have his work cut out for him when he begins the job as the Nuggets are a team on the verge of an implosion next season due to a variety of problems. The Nuggets are dealing with Kenyon Martin's contract situation, a police investigation on JR Smith and his latest moment of idiocy, plus the little matter of Carmelo Anthony ignoring the Nuggets contract extension offer and possibly seeking an exit from the Mile high city. Nuggets fans will hope Ujiri fits in seamlessly in the front office and is able to quickly steer the team in the right direction.
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| Alabi enters NBA draft |
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Written by Damien Johnson
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| Nigerian-born Florida State center Solomon Alabi will enter the NBA draft and hire an agent, foregoing his final two seasons at Florida State. 
"The sport of basketball is very important to me and I want to continue my growth in the sport," Alabi said in a statement released by the FSU sports information department. "Coach(Leonard) Hamilton and all of the coaches have been great to me ever since they began recruiting me. Because of my coaches, my teammates, the student body and all of the Seminole fans, Florida is a place I will always call home. I am also making this decision so that I can help support my family who has always been very supportive of me in every decision that I have made." "Playing in the NBA has been a goal of mine for some time and I feel now is the time for me to work hard to realize that goal." Alabi was named ACC first team All-Defensive team. The 7-1 Kaduna native averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, which was a school record. He is expected to be drafted in the mid first round.
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| Ekpe Udoh declares for NBA draft |
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Written by Damien Johnson
Wednesday, 14 April 2010 02:14 |
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| Ekpe Udoh declares for NBA draft 
After his breakout season at Baylor, the Michigan transfer announced he will forego his senior season and enter the NBA draft; Udoh plans to hire an agent. "We came to the conclusion that I put myself in the best position possible to reach my dreams," Udoh said. "My time here was great. It was the best time of my life." "When you have a relationship with your head coach that's as strong as coach Drew and I, he was all in. When he was all in, I was ready to go," Udoh said. "I'm all in. I'm going to the NBA" The 6-10 forward set Baylor and Big 12 conference single-season block shot records with 133 this season and was awarded Big 12 new comer of the year honors. He averaged 13.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.7 assists in 36 games. He is projected to be a lottery pick.
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| Gani Lawal to enter NBA draft |
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Written by Damien Johnson
Saturday, 03 April 2010 19:04 |
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Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal has decided to forego his senior season to enter the NBA draft. “I am ready to take the next step in my basketball career and look forward to the upcoming process of getting ready for that,” said Lawal, who entered his name last year and then withdrew before the deadline. “I want to thank Coach Hewitt and Georgia Tech for the opportunity to come to school here and play for the Yellow Jackets. I’ve enjoyed my time at Tech and have benefitted greatly from it. I intend to continue to work toward earning in Management.” Lawal declared for the NBA draft after last season but did not get the first round guarantee he was seeking and decided to return to Georgia Tech. Alongside Derrick Favors, he formed one of the most formidable front-courts in the nation, leading the Yellow Jackets to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-9 Lawal averaged 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds this season. He is projected to be taken late in the first round.
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| Wake Forest’s Aminu declares for NBA draft |
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Written by Damien Johnson
Friday, 02 April 2010 00:12 |
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| Wake Forest sophomore forward Al-Farouq Aminu declared for the NBA Draft on Thursday and will hire an agent, officially ending his college eligibility. “This was a difficult decision,” Aminu said in a statement. “But after talking it over with my family and my coaches, I believe now is the right time for me to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA.” "I want to thank Wake Forest and the basketball program for all they have done for me the past two years," Aminu said. "I have had some great experiences and will miss the friends that I have made here. I'm excited to take the next step and begin my professional career" Aminu contemplated entering the draft after his freshman season when teammates James Johnson and Jeff Teague left school early but ultimately decided to return to Wake. Aminu averaged 15.8 points per game this season and was the first ACC player since Tim Duncan to average 10.7 rebounds a game. He is projected to be a top ten pick.
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