Michael Olowokandi

Michael Olowokandi ( born April 3, 1975 in Lagos ) is a former Nigerian basketball player. Most recently, he played until 2007 as a center for the NBA team the Boston Celtics.

Born in Nigeria grew Michael Olowokandi in London. With the basketball, he started at the age of 17 years. First he went to the Brunel University before he moved to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, to play for the local basketball team. In his first year he led his team to the NCAA tournament. After he brought good performance in the second year, he was pulled in the 1998 draft the first player of the Los Angeles Clippers. Because of the NBA lockout of 1998/99 he played short for the Italian team Bologna Children. For his achievements in the first year as a pro, he was appointed to the NBA All- Rookie Second Team. From his second year until 2003 he played for the Clippers, but where he never was able to meet all the cables connected to it expectations. How many players, including Olowokandi showed his best performances in the season before his contract expires. He changed to Unrestricted Free Agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where his final breakthrough was expected. However, he disappointed again and brought it in three years, on average, only about six points per game.

On 26 January 2006, he joined as part of a comprehensive multi-player trade to the Boston Celtics. There he made in two years only 40 games and was never in the grid.

In his 366 games of the regular season Olowokandi scoring average 9.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.63 blocks.

From 1 January 2007 Olowokandi, however, was again a free agent could not find a new club and eventually ended his career. The Los Angeles Clippers decision for Olowokandi is now regarded as one of the biggest mistakes in NBA Drafts and was selected by Sports Illustrated as the third worst in the history of the NBA in 2005. The Clippers could opt for Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Mike Bibby or Rashard Lewis, who may all have far more successful careers.

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