Nigerian forward slams junior-college stereotype

Many junior-college basketball prospects have red flags attached to their history in the classroom or off the court.

Then there are players who blow holes in that stereotype and could be major steals on the recruiting trail.

Meet Nigeria native God's Gift Achiuwa.

The 6-foot-9-inch power forward from Erie Community College (N.Y.) was one of the brightest stars of the inaugural All-American Junior College Showcase at Liberty High School.

He earned a starting spot in Saturday's Top 20 All-Star Finale, which showcased the top 20 prospects out of the 104 players from around the country invited to the event.

Oh, and about that name?

"My family is very religious, so they gave me that name because I'm a gift from God to them," Achiuwa said. "That's why they named me 'God's Gift.' "

Achiuwa, who will be a sophomore next season, came to the United States 10 months ago after countryman and Erie coach Alex Nwora found him at a basketball camp he was running in Nigeria.

It turned out to be more of an unearthing than a finding.

Achiuwa led Erie to a 27-2 season, averaging 13.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on his way to third-team NJCAA All-America honors.

"When I got him, he was a little on the raw side," Nwora said. "But with another year, he's going to be a very high-major player."

The secret of the force in the paint tucked away at the tiny Buffalo, N.Y., campus is beginning to leak out.

Nwora said Kansas, Oklahoma, St. John's and Tennessee have shown interest in Achiuwa. A grade-point average of 3.8 in the spring semester doesn't hurt recruiters' interest in him.

"The first rule I have in life is to get my education," said Achiuwa, who plans on majoring in business. "Basketball comes after that."

Playing through a sprained ankle, Achiuwa compiled three points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 19-plus minutes of Saturday's all-star event for Team Navy in its 91-88 loss to Team White.

Dozens of coaches from midmajor programs sat in the stands for the game. About 180 coaches from Division I programs and even four NBA scouts attended the two-day showcase altogether, event director Justin Phelps said.

But Achiuwa isn't consumed by his long-term future, instead staying focused on his final year at Erie.

"This event is the best junior-college players in the country," he said. "It's helped me to know my deficiencies and what to work on."

Achiuwa credited Nwora with helping to smooth the transition from overseas.

"Alex has been a major force in my life when it comes to education and basketball," he said. "He's been a big difference."

Nwora said Achiuwa has room to upgrade his ball handling and perimeter shooting. Achiuwa said he can be quicker with the ball in his hands.

But he has been quite the gift to Nwora's program.

"He's a great kid, on and off the court," Nwora said. "I'm just excited to be his coach."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.