Olympian Profile: Ekene Ibekwe

Ekene Ibekwe

Sport/Country: Men's Basketball - Nigeria
Olympic Games: 2012 London, 2016 Rio

Ekene Ibekwe played for Nigeria in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, finishing 10th and 11th, respectively. He also played at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, where he was fourth in scoring and led Nigeria in rebounding.

The 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward played for the Terps under Hall of Fame head coach Gary Williams from 2003-07. As a freshman, Ibekwe became the only freshman to play in all 32 games. He led the Terps in blocked shots with 44, becoming the first freshman to lead the Terps in blocked shots since Joe Smith. That season, in 2004, the Terps won their first ACC championship since 1984 by upsetting top-seeded Duke, 95-87.

MARYLAND 82 VIRGINIA 68, January 19, 2005, COMCAST CENTER, COLLEGE PARK, MARYLANDPHOTO BY BRUCE L. SCHWARTZMANALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Ibekwe earned ACC All-Defensive Team and All-ACC Honorable Mention honors as a senior. In 32 games, he averaged 10.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. For his career at Maryland, Ibekwe accrued 1,107 points, 781 rebounds, and 230 blocks, becoming the fourth player in school history and the first since Lonny Baxter to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 blocks.

The forward started his pro career overseas in 2007, turning it into a 17-year career playing for various clubs in many countries. His awards and accomplishments include becoming a French League champion (2017), NBL champion (2015), and LNB Pro B champion (2008), and garnering All-NBL Second Team (2015), TBL All-Star (2009), and Second-Team Parade All-American (2003) honors. At 38 years old, Ibekwe is still playing overseas for Urunday Universitario.

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