OG Anunoby

Last updated

OG Anunoby
OG Anunoby (41708749222) (cropped).jpg
Anunoby with the Toronto Raptors in 2018
No. 8–New York Knicks
Position Small forward / shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1997-07-17) 17 July 1997 (age 27)
London, England
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school Jefferson City
(Jefferson City, Missouri)
College Indiana (2015–2017)
NBA draft 2017: 1st round, 23rd overall pick
Selected by the Toronto Raptors
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2023 Toronto Raptors
2023–present New York Knicks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Ogugua "OG" Anunoby Jr. (born 17 July 1997) is a British-Nigerian professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers. He won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and led the league in steals while being named to his first NBA All-Defensive Team in 2023.

Contents

Early life

Ogugua Anunoby was born in London, England on 17 July 1997, to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent. [1] [2] His father, Ogugua Sr. (1952–2018), [3] taught as a professor in England at the time. [1] [4] His mother, Grace Ndidi Okereke, [3] was a track and field athlete who competed at a national level for Nigeria and died of cancer when Anunoby was one year old. [5] At the age of four, Anunoby moved with his family to the U.S. and settled in Jefferson City, Missouri, [2] where his father was a professor of finance at Lincoln University. [5] His older brother, Chigbo, played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Minnesota Vikings before entering medical school. [6] Anunoby played football when he was young, but stopped around the age of eight to focus more on basketball because of his height. [4]

Anunoby played for Jefferson City High School. [7] During his senior season, he averaged 19.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was named a finalist for Mr Basketball in the state of Missouri. [8] In October 2014, Anunoby chose to attend Indiana University [9] over Georgia, Iowa, George Mason, and Ole Miss.

College recruiting information
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
OG Anunoby
F 		Jefferson City, MO Jefferson City HS 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)235 lb (107 kg)Oct 14, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • purdue%2522%255D,%2522page_number%2522:1,%2522position_group.abbreviation%2522:%2522%2522,%2522position.abbreviation%2522:%2522%2522,%2522status%2522:%255B%2522signed%2522,%2522verbal%2522%255D%257D "Indiana Commit List for 2015". Rivals.com.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  • "Indiana Hoosiers". ESPN.com.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

College career

As a freshman in 2015–16 at Indiana, Anunoby appeared in 34 games, averaging 6.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. [10] [11]

Anunoby was selected as a Pre-season All-American by The Sporting News. [12] On 18 January 2017, Anunoby injured his right knee against Penn State, causing him to undergo season-ending knee surgery. [13] On 10 April 2017, Anunoby declared his intention to enter the 2017 NBA draft and hire an agent, ending his tenure with the Hoosiers. [14]

Professional career

Toronto Raptors (2017–2023)

On 22 June 2017, he was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors. [15] On 9 July, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Raptors. [16] On 14 November, Anunoby made his first career start, against the Houston Rockets. [17] He finished the game with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 30 minutes. By 15 December, he led starter rookies in offensive and defensive rating and had the third highest true shooting percentage and best turnover-to-assist ratio for a non-guard. [18]

On 29 January 2019, Anunoby was named a member of the World Team representing the United Kingdom for the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge. [19] In April 2019, Anunoby had an emergency appendectomy, [20] which caused him to miss most of the Raptors' championship playoff run. He dressed for the NBA Finals but did not play as the Raptors went on to win the title, [21] becoming the first British player to win an NBA championship.

On 1 March 2020, Anunoby scored 32 points and recorded seven steals, along with seven rebounds and three assists in a 133–118 loss against the Denver Nuggets. [22] He hit a game-winning buzzer-beater three-pointer on 3 September, in a 104–103 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, and finished with 12 points. The buzzer-beater prevented the Raptors from going down to a 0–3 deficit to the Celtics. [23] The Raptors would eventually fall in seven games. On 21 December 2020, he signed a four-year, $72 million extension, through the 2024–25 season. [24] On 24 January 2021, Anunoby scored a season-high 30 points while getting eight rebounds, one assist, five steals, and a block in a 107–102 win against the Indiana Pacers, [25] joining former Raptor Kawhi Leonard as the only players with multiple games getting 30 points, five rebounds, and five steals in franchise history. [26] On 1 November, Anunoby scored a career-high 36 points along with 6 rebounds and 2 assists along with the win against the Knicks. [27]

On 25 February 2022, Anunoby was sidelined due to a right finger fracture suffered against the Charlotte Hornets. [28] On 3 March, he was ruled out for two weeks to rest his fractured finger. [29]

On 16 November 2022, Anunoby scored a season-high 32 points during a 112–104 win against the Miami Heat. [30] During the 2022–23 season, Anunoby led the league in steals, becoming the first Raptors player and first British player to accomplish the feat. [31] At the end of the season, Anunoby was named for the first time to the NBA All-Defensive Second team. [32]

New York Knicks (2023–present)

On 30 December 2023, Anunoby, along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn were traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick. [33] On 1 January 2024, Anunoby made his Knicks debut, putting up 17 points and six rebounds in a 112–106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. [34] During his first 10 games as a New York Knick, he set an NBA record with a +170 plus–minus for his first 10 games with a new team. [35] On 8 February 2024, it was announced that Anunoby had surgery on his right elbow to remove a loose bone fragment, sidelining him for a month. [36] Anunoby returned to play against the Philadelphia 76ers on 12 March. [37] On 24 June 2024, Anunoby declined his $19.9M player option with the Knicks, becoming a free agent. [38]

On 6 July 2024, Anunoby re-signed with the Knicks. [39] On 25 November, Anunoby scored a career–high 40 points in a 145–118 win against the Denver Nuggets. [40]

Personal life

Anunoby has said, "It's definitely a goal of mine to inspire kids in Great Britain to want to play basketball and show that they can make it to the NBA from Britain." [41]

Anunoby is considered one of the best British players to ever play in the NBA. [42] [43]

In 2023, Anunoby became a minority stake owner of the London Lions. [44]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
 † Won an NBA championship  * Led the league

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18 Toronto 746220.0.471.371.6292.5.7.7.25.9
2018–19† Toronto 67620.2.453.332.5812.9.7.7.37.0
2019–20 Toronto 696829.9.505.390.7065.31.61.4.710.6
2020–21 Toronto 434333.3.480.398.7845.52.21.5.715.9
2021–22 Toronto 484836.0.443.363.7545.52.61.5.517.1
2022–23 Toronto 676735.6.476.387.8385.02.01.9*.716.8
2023–24 Toronto 272733.3.489.374.7173.92.71.0.515.1
New York 232334.9.488.394.7914.41.51.71.014.1
Career41834429.1.474.376.7454.31.61.3.512.0

Play-in

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2023 Toronto 1142.3.308.286.9004.05.51.01.013.0
Career1142.3.308.286.9004.05.51.01.013.0

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2018 Toronto 101023.8.558.448.7272.1.7.6.47.9
2020 Toronto 111135.7.455.415.6436.91.21.01.210.5
2022 Toronto 6636.1.476.341.7504.02.51.0.217.3
2024 New York 9936.0.505.410.6156.01.1.91.015.1
Career363632.6.492.400.6764.91.3.9.812.1

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2015–16 Indiana 34013.7.569.448.4762.6.5.8.84.9
2016–17 Indiana 161025.1.557.311.5635.41.41.31.311.1
Career501017.4.563.365.5223.5.81.0.96.8

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References

  1. 1 2 Simmons, Steve (20 October 2019). "Raptors quiet man looking to make some noise in new season". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 "OG Anunoby's path to the NBA exposes the failings in British basketball". Real Sports. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Dr. Ogugua Chigbogu Damian Anunoby". Trimble Funeral Homes. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  4. 1 2 "London-born NBA star OG Anunoby wants to inspire British basketball players". 22 November 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Toronto Raptors rookie OG Anunoby's road to NBA starter". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  6. ↑ Benge, James (23 November 2017). "The NBA Score: OG Anunoby on growing up in London, guarding James Harden and British basketball". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  7. ↑ Keefer, Zak. "The unexpected rise of Hoosiers freshman OG Anunoby". The Indianapolis Star.
  8. ↑ "Mr. Show-Me Finalist". Mobca.org. 10 April 2015.
  9. ↑ Osterman, Zach. "Hoosiers land 2015 wing OG Anunoby". The Indianapolis Star.
  10. ↑ Osterman, Zach. "IU player profile: High hope for OG Anunoby". The Indianapolis Star.
  11. ↑ "Indiana's OG Anunoby could be the NBA's next great lockdown defender | Sporting News". www.sportingnews.com. 25 March 2016.
  12. ↑ "Anunoby Third-Team All-American". SportingNews.com. 5 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "Anunoby out for season". ESPN.com. 20 January 2017.
  14. ↑ "Hoosiers' OG Anunoby to enter draft, hire agent". ESPN.com. 10 April 2017.
  15. ↑ Loung, Steven (22 June 2017). "Person of Interest: New Raptors draft pick OG Anunoby". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  16. ↑ "Raptors Sign First-Round Pick OG Anunoby". Toronto Raptors. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  17. ↑ Sharp, Jordan (15 November 2017). "OG Anunoby scores 16 in first career start for RaptorsOG Anunoby scores 16 in first career start for Raptors". numberfire. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  18. ↑ "Players General Advanced". nba.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  19. ↑ "Doncic, Simmons headline Mtn Dew Ice Rising Stars rosters". NBA . 29 January 2019.
  20. ↑ "OG Anunoby Injury Update". nba.com.
  21. ↑ "OG Anunoby wins NBA Championship with Toronto Raptors". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "OG Anunoby has career night in loss". Fansided.com. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  23. ↑ Geagan, Matthew (4 September 2020). "OG Anunoby Beats Buzzer In Game 3, Raptors Hand Celtics First Loss Of Postseason". CBS. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  24. ↑ Smith, Doug (21 December 2020). "OG Anunoby, Raptors agree to four-year contract extension". Toronto Star .
  25. ↑ "Anunoby's hot hand helps short-handed Raptors beat Pacers". ESPN . 24 January 2021.
  26. ↑ Irving, Kyle (24 January 2021). "OG Anunoby: Toronto Raptors forward joins Kawhi Leonard in franchise history". ca.nba.com.
  27. ↑ "Anunoby's career-high earns Raptors fourth straight win, 113-104 over Knicks". 1 November 2021.
  28. ↑ Wimbish, Jasmyn (25 February 2022). "OG Anunoby injury update: Raptors forward sidelined with fractured right ring finger". CBS Sports . Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  29. ↑ "Sources: Anunoby out two weeks to rest finger". ESPN.com. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  30. ↑ IAN HARRISON (17 November 2022). "Anunoby has season-high 32 points, Raptors beat Heat 112-104". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press.
  31. ↑ "Former IU star OG Anunoby led the NBA in steals in 2022-23". 11 April 2023.
  32. ↑ "Jaren Jackson Jr. headlines 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive teams". NBA.com. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  33. ↑ "New York Knicks Acquire OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn. In four games for New York he is 4-0 and people are exclaming he is the perfect fit for this team". NBA.com. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  34. ↑ Maresca, Drew (1 January 2024). "Biggest takeaways from OG Anunoby's Knicks debut after trade with Raptors". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  35. ↑ Rasmussen, Karl (18 January 2024). "OG Anunoby Makes Impressive NBA History Across First 10 Games With Knicks". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  36. ↑ Katz, Fred (8 February 2024). "Knicks' OG Anunoby has surgery to remove loose bone fragment from right elbow". The Athletic . Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  37. ↑ Bontemps, Tim (12 March 2024). "Knicks' OG Anunoby, 76ers' Tyrese Maxey return for Tuesday matchup". ESPN . Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  38. ↑ "BREAKING: New York Knicks Player Will Be A Free Agent". SI.com. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  39. ↑ "NEW YORK KNICKS RE-SIGN OG ANUNOBY". NBA.com. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  40. ↑ Faria, Nick (25 November 2024). "OG Anunoby Sets New Career High, Knicks Rout Nuggets". athlonsports.com.
  41. ↑ "The NBA Score: OG Anunoby talks Harden, London and Raptors". 23 November 2017.
  42. ↑ "British basketball's finest exports: five of the best British NBA players". SportsByte. 18 February 2021.
  43. ↑ "The Greatest British NBA Players Ever". 7 October 2020.
  44. ↑ "The British team O.G. Anunoby just invested in is an absolute juggernaut". Yahoo Sports. 19 April 2023.
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