Obinna Ekezie

Obinna Ekezie
Personal information
Born (1975-08-22) August 22, 1975
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High schoolWorcester Academy
(Worcester, Massachusetts)
CollegeMaryland (1995–1999)
NBA draft1999: 2nd round, 37th overall pick
Drafted byVancouver Grizzlies
Playing career1999–2007
PositionCenter / power forward
Number54
Career history
1999–2000Vancouver Grizzlies
2000–2001Washington Wizards
2001Dallas Mavericks
2001–2002Los Angeles Clippers
2002–2003Red Star Belgrade
2004–2005Columbus Riverdragons
2005Atlanta Hawks
2006Virtus Roma
2006–2007Dynamo Moscow
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Obinna Ralph EkezieListenⓘ (born August 22, 1975) is a Nigerian former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and other leagues. His name, Obinna, means "Father's heart". He is a direct descendant of the 19th century Igbo warrior and businessman Duruike Akubugali, hence hails from Obor Autonomous Community in Orlu, Imo State.[1]

Career

Obinna Ekezie moved to the US when he was 18 years old to continue his education and play high school basketball at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts for two years (1993–1995).[2] A 6'10" 270 lb center, Ekezie was selected with the 37th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies after playing with the Maryland Terrapins from 1995–1999. Obinna prepared for college at Worcester Academy, graduating in 1995.

Ekezie played for five NBA teams (1999–2005), and also professionally with Red Star Belgrade (Serbia), Lottomatica Roma (Italy),[3] and Dynamo Moscow.[3] Ekezie was invited to Atlanta Hawks training camp where he was a leading scorer averaging 11.8 points on 48.8 field goal percentage. Ekezie then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on October 13, 2005, in an exhibition game after landing awkwardly.[4]

After retiring from basketball in 2007, Ekezie entered the travel industry. In 2008, he founded ZeepTravel, an online platform initially focused on hotel reservations and travel services between Africa and the United States. The company later expanded and was rebranded as Wakanow in 2010, co‑founded with Ralph Tamuno.[5][6][7]

Personal life

His son, Obinna Ekezie Jr., plays college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.[8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Meaning of Obinna in Nigerian.name
  2. ↑ "Alumni Spotlight – Obinna Ekezie (Q3) | QUESTPress". December 15, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Dynamo tabs big man Ekezie, November 29, 2006
  4. ↑ "Ekezie out indefinitely with knee injury". UPI. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  5. ↑ Eweniyi, Odunayo (May 21, 2014). "Wine Improves With Age. Do Entrepreneurs?". TechCabal. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Zeep Travels emerges official partner for 2010 World Cup". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. January 14, 2010. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  7. ↑ "How They Started, Innovative Nigerian Brands (Wakanow) – Hexavia Business Club". June 27, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Obinna Ekezie Jr". Louisville Cardinals. Retrieved August 29, 2026.


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