RJ Barrett isn't the only player happy to cross the US-Canada border. While the former Knicks player is excited to play in his hometown of Toronto, Precious Achiuwa experiences a similar feeling having gone the opposite way.
The former interior of the Canadian franchise accompanied OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn in this first notable exchange of the season, between Raptors and Knicks. And the native of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, does not shy away from his pleasure. New York is the city where he grew up, in part.
“ I am very happy to be back home, in front of my family and friends that I grew up with. This is truly a very exciting opportunity and I'm looking forward to it. », blurts the inside, quoted by the New York Postwhose family moved to the “Big Apple” while he was in college.
The 24-year-old attended Our Savior Lutheran in the Bronx and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, both high schools in New York before joining the University of Memphis, after which he was drafted 20th overall in 2020. He also frequented Madison Square Garden, including watching his older brother God'sgift Achiuwa play for St. John's between 2011 and 2014.
Used behind Isaiah Hartenstein
“ When we talk about basketball at the highest level, this is one of the first places that comes to people's minds, the Mecca of basketball. Being able to play at the Garden, and not just at the Garden, but in front of my family and friends, means a lot to me », Further develops the interior, which says it has already started to receive requests for tickets.
In terms of play, the former Raptor explains that he doesn't see himself in a specific place in the rotation, whether at position 4 or 5, but he is ready to assume any role that coach Tom Thibodeau needs . “ We just arrived. We are still learning, the others and I. We will do our best to adapt to his philosophy and his style, especially on defense. »
His first appearance last night against Wolves may have given him an indication. The newcomer was the first rotation behind Isaiah Hartenstein and ahead of Taj Gibson. In nine minutes of play, he missed two shots, committed two fouls and grabbed three rebounds.
| Precious Achiuwa | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 61 | 12 | 54.4 | 0.0 | 50.9 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 73 | 24 | 43.9 | 35.9 | 59.5 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 9.1 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 55 | 21 | 48.5 | 26.9 | 70.2 | 1.8 | 4.2 | 6.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 9.2 |
| 2023-24 | TOR | 25 | 18 | 45.9 | 27.7 | 57.1 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 5.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 7.7 |
| Total | 214 | 19 | 47.2 | 31.4 | 60.2 | 1.7 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 7.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
