Ebuka Rufus Izundu (born 28 June 1996) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for Galatasaray Ekmas of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). Izundu played college basketball for the Miami Hurricanes.
![]() Izundu (#15) with Miami (Florida) in 2017 | |
No. 15 – Galatasaray Ekmas | |
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Position | Center |
League | Basketbol Süper Ligi |
Personal information | |
Born | Lagos, Nigeria | 28 June 1996
Nationality | Nigerian |
Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
Listed weight | 232 lb (105 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Victory Christian (Charlotte, North Carolina) |
College | Miami (Florida) (2015–2019) |
NBA draft | 2019: undrafted |
Playing career | 2019–present |
Career history | |
2019–2020 | Real Betis |
2020 | SIG Strasbourg |
2021–2023 | FMP |
2023–2024 | Baskets Oldenburg |
2024–present | Galatasaray Ekmas |
Early life and high school career
editIzundu was born and brought up in Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up playing soccer and began playing basketball at age 16 due to his height. Izundu played basketball for Victory Christian Center School in Charlotte, North Carolina for two years.[1] As a senior, he averaged 21 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks per game.[2] Izundu also played soccer and ran track in high school.[3] On 12 November 2014, he committed to play college basketball for Charlotte.[4] However, he reopened his recruitment after the program parted ways with head coach Alan Major. On 13 May 2015, Izundu committed to Miami (Florida).[5]
College career
editIzundu played four years of college basketball for Miami, mostly coming off the bench until his senior season. As a sophomore, Izundu averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.[6] He averaged 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a junior.[7] On 13 November 2018, he posted career-highs of 22 points and 18 rebounds in a 96–58 win over Stephen F. Austin.[8] As a senior, Izundu started in all 32 games and averaged 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting a school-record 65.3 percent from the field.[3]
Professional career
editIzundu joined the Golden State Warriors for 2019 NBA Summer League and recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds in his finale, an 88–87 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.[9] On 10 August 2019, Izundu signed a two-year contract with Real Betis of the Liga ACB.[10] On 27 October, he scored a season-high 11 points in an 86–81 victory over Andorra.[11] Izundu parted ways with Real Betis on 26 April 2020 and finished the season averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game.[12]
On July 17, 2020, he has signed with SIG Strasbourg of the LNB Pro A.[13] In January 2021, Izundu signed for Serbian team FMP.[14][15] On July 14, 2021, he signed a two-year contract extension with FMP.[16]
On June 19, 2023, he signed with Baskets Oldenburg of the Basketball Bundesliga.[17]
On June 11, 2024, he signed with Galatasaray Ekmas of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[18]
References
edit- ^ "Fast Breaks with Ebuka Izundu". University of Miami Athletics. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Wertz Jr., Langston (18 April 2015). "Victory Christian's Ebuka Izundu is target of 'recruiting frenzy'". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Ebuka Izundu". University of Miami Athletics. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Wertz Jr., Langston (12 November 2014). "Victory Christian's Ebuka Izundu commits to Charlotte 49ers basketball". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Wertz Jr., Langston (13 May 2015). "Victory Christian's Ebuka Izundu picks Miami (FL)". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Miami Hurricanes basketball: Five quick hits from Week 1". Palm Beach Post. November 16, 2017. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Jackson, Barry (April 30, 2018). "NFL teams love their newly-drafted Hurricanes. Here's what they're saying". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Perez, Santos (13 November 2018). "Miami offense cruises past Stephen F. Austin, 96-58". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Warriors' Ebuka Izundu: Double-doubles in league finale". CBS Sports. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Borghesan, Ennio Terrasi (10 August 2019). "Real Betis announces Ebuka Izundu". Sportando. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "86-81: Slaughter puede con el MoraBanc Andorra". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 27 October 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Lupo, Nicola (26 April 2020). "Real Betis, Ebuka Izundu part ways". Sportando. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Maggi, Alessandro (July 17, 2020). "SIG Strasbourg announces Ebuka Izundu". Sportando. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Nigerijac i slovenački reprezentativac stižu u FMP". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "Jurij Macura and Ebuka Izundu sign contracts with FMP". aba-liga.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "Ebuka Izundu extends contract with FMP for 2 more years". aba-liga.com. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ "Verstärkung auf Center-Position: Ebuka Izundu wechselt zu den EWE Baskets". ewe-baskets.de (in German). June 19, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Galatasaray'a hoş geldin Ebuka Izundu" (in Turkish). Galatasaray. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.