From Bronx Rookie to NBA Prodigy: Precious Achiuwa’s Unlikely Journey

Landing in the Bronx at 14, Precious Achiuwa was an enigma in sneakers. Imagine: a 6-foot-2 beanpole hailing from Nigerian soccer fields, convinced he was a point guard despite oversized paws and towering over classmates. Basketball, for him, was barely kindergarten-level.

His big break came courtesy of his brother, Godsgift, a St. John’s University baller. Godsgift, a walking hype man for his younger sibling, spread the gospel of Precious’s hidden talent, reaching Oswald Cross, a coach and program coordinator at New Heights AAU. Cross, intrigued by the family connection, convinced Precious’s future high school coach, Adam Maldonado, to swing an I-20 visa.

Precious Achiuwa Embraces Toronto’s Basketball Brotherhood

“Honestly, we had no clue he’d turn out this good,” Cross admits. “Purely a favor for Godsgift and the bond we shared. No flashy videos, just a snapshot of a scrawny kid, maybe 9 or 11. I thought, ‘Bring him over, maybe he’ll inherit his brother’s size, maybe he’ll be decent.'”

Kenny Miller, St. John’s manager turned Precious’s pre-draft trainer and lifelong mentor, paints a vivid picture: “Forget the sculpted physique he rocks now. Back then, he was a wisp of a boy, all limbs and nerves. Raw, sure, but his movements held an otherworldly grace.”

This is just the beginning of Precious’s remarkable tale – a testament to raw talent, unwavering sibling support, and a leap of faith across continents. Buckle up, for the story of this unlikely NBA prodigy is just unfolding.

Current Team: Toronto Raptors
Born: Sep 19, 1999 (24 years old)
Birthplace/Hometown: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigeria
Height: 6-8 (203cm) Weight: 243 (110kg)

Current NBA Status: Under Contract (Toronto Raptors)
Free Agent: RFA-2024
Agent: Raymond Brothers
Draft Entry: 2020 NBA Draft
Early Entry Info: 2020 Early Entrant
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 20, Miami Heat
Pre-Draft Team: Memphis (Fr)
High School: Montverde Academy [Montverde, Florida (United States)]
AAU Team: New Heights (NY)

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