The precious Achiuwa could not have landed in a better place.
In a blockbuster deal between the Knicks and Raptors over the weekend, the Nigerian-born center returns to play where he once learned the game.
“I'm so excited to be back home in front of my family and the friends I grew up with,” Achiuwa, whose family moved to New York when he was in middle school, said before the Knicks' 112-106 win. Told. Timberwolves on Monday afternoon. “It’s a really, really exciting opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Achiuwa attended preparatory meetings at Our Savior Lutheran Church in the Bronx and St. Benedict in Newark. He is also a frequent visitor to Madison Square Garden, including several times from 2011 to 2014 to watch his brother Achiuwa play for St. John's. I was there.
“I mean, we're talking about basketball at the highest level. This is one of the first places that comes to people's minds, the mecca of basketball,” he said. “Being able to play in the Garden and not only in the Garden but in front of my family and friends means a lot to me.”
Achiuwa said they have already started accepting requests for tickets.
Coming to the Knicks, he doesn't see himself in any particular position in the rotation, whether it's center or power forward, and is ready to take on any role coach Tom Thibodeau needs. revealed.
“We just got here. I mean, myself and others are still learning. So we're adjusting to his philosophy and style of defense and adapting our abilities. I will do my best,” Achiuwa said. “We're just going to continue to improve and go from there.”
He subbed in for backup big man Taj Gibson in the first quarter with Isaiah Hartenstein, and despite being quite undersized at 6-foot-8, he briefly flourished.
Achiuwa returned in the fourth quarter. He went 0-for-2 from the field and grabbed three rebounds in nine minutes. He outplayed Gibson, who came on only in the final seconds of the first half.
Jalen Brunson praised his new teammates Achiuwa and OG Anunoby for giving their all in their first game, as they had 17 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes.
“Thisbus obviously loves guys who play hard,” Brunson said after the 112-106 win. “Such [Anunoby] bring it naturally. Precious brings that naturally too. So when you play your hardest for your teammates, that means everything else is minimal. ”
