Kody Stattmann
July 31, 2022
Ekene Ibekwe
- Nationality: USA/NIG
- Date of Birth: 19/07/85
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 206
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Maryland (2003–2007)
- NBL DEBUT: 10/10/14
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 7/03/20
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 34
- NBL History: New Zealand 2015
- Championships: 1
- New Zealand (2015)
BIO: Ekenechukwu Brian “Ekene” Ibekwe Ekene Ibekwe was born in Los Angeles, California (USA) and attended Carson High School in Carson, California. As a senior in 2002/03, he was a second-team Parade All-American after averaging 190.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks per game in leading his squad to a 23-4 record and a semi-final finish in the Los Angeles city championship. He also earned all-state honours and a first team “All-Dream Team” nod by the Long Beach Press-Telegram as a senior, while he was named to the All-L.A. city first team, the All-South Bay first team and his team’s MVP as a junior and senior.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Ekene Ibekwe made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 29 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.
After a dismal season the year prior, where the team missed out on the NBL playoffs despite having won the previous three seasons in a row, the Breakers regrouped by replacing imports Kerron Johnson and Gary Wilkinson with big man Ekene Ibekwe and fan favourite Cedric Jackson, who had led the team to back-to-back titles previously (2012, 2013).
This season saw the exits of CJ Bruton (retired) and Daryl Corletto (to Melbourne) and replaced with Rhys Carter (via Adelaide) and Tai Wesley, who qualified as a local player due to being born in Guam under the league’s Asian player rule.
The Breakers kickstarted the season with back-to-back wins over Perth and Adelaide before suffering back-to-back losses to Cairns and Melbourne. In what was a highly competitive season, New Zealand was able to reel off multiple five game winning streaks behind the offensive talent of both Jackson (14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals) and Corey Webster (15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists), who moved into the starting lineup and become one of the league’s premier scorers, while Ibekwe added 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. The Breakers battled all season long for top spot alongside Perth and Cairns, eventually finishing in second place (19–9).
in the semifinals, New Zealand would face third-placed Adelaide, who had won their final ten regular season games and entered the playoffs as the hottest team in the competition. Despite the 36ers’ hot form, the Breakers made light work of them in game one (111–82), with Webster (24 points) delivering a career-high scoring effort at Vector Arena. Game two then moved to Adelaide, where they again had the upper hand the entire game, defeating the 36ers (94–83) and moving on to the Grand Final.
There, they met the Cairns Taipans, who had become the first regional centre team to win the minor premiership since the Geelong Cats did so in 1984. Despite Cairns having home-court advantage, New Zealand easily claimed game one (86–71), with Jackson (22 points) top scoring. Game two shifted to Auckland, where after a tight contest the entire game, Taipans guard Scottie Wilbekin tied the game behind two free throws with 1.2 seconds left in regulation. Coming out of a timeout, Ibekwe caught a inbounds pass, turned and hit a game-winning fade-away shot to lift the Breakers over the Taipans (83–81) and clinch New Zealand’s fourth title in five seasons. Jackson was subsequently named Grand Final MVP for the second time in his career after adding to his 22 points in game one with 15 points in game two. Jackson claimed his third championship and second Grand Final MVP award, becoming the first player in NBL history to win three NBL championships from his first three seasons.
Ekene Ibekwe played one season in the NBL. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 32 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 27th in blocks per game.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 29 | New Zealand | 19-9 (2) | 32 | 696.0 | 377 | 196 | 30 | 64 | 132 | 28 | 62 | 43 | 110 | 152 | 255 | 60% | 2 | 5 | 40% | 71 | 113 | 63% | 61% | 60% | Totals | 32 | 696 | 377 | 196 | 30 | 64 | 132 | 28 | 62 | 43 | 110 | 152 | 255 | 59.6% | 2 | 5 | 40.0% | 71 | 113 | 62.8% | 62% | 60% | 20 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 29 | New Zealand | 19-9 (2) | 32 | 21.8 | 11.8 | 6.1 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 8.0 | 60% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 40% | 2.2 | 3.5 | 63% | 61% | 60% | Total | 32 | 21.8 | 11.8 | 6.1 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 8.0 | 59.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 40.0% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 62.8% | 62% | 60% | 20 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 20 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Ibekwe was a part of the Nigerian national team that competed at the 2006 FIBA World Championships (Japan). There, Nigeria (2–4) made it to the second round before being eliminated by Germany (77-78). They finished the tournament tied for ninth place.
Ibekwe was selected to play for the Nigerian national team again at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Nigeria (1–4) failed to proceed past the first round, finishing tenth overall.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 31 | 5 | 84 | 21 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 20 | 8 | 24 | 33.3% | 2 | 10 | 20.0% | 3 | 5 | 60.0% |
| 2012 | 27 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 50.0% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 2 | 50.0% |
| 2006 | 21 | 6 | 117 | 52 | 40 | 4 | 14 | 26 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 46 | 50.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 6 | 18 | 33.3% | Total | 14 | 214 | 76 | 62 | 8 | 21 | 41 | 6 | 20 | 12 | 42 | 32 | 72 | 44% | 2 | 11 | 18% | 10 | 25 | 40% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 31 | 5 | 16.8 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 4.8 | 33.3% | 0.4 | 2.0 | 20.0% | 0.6 | 1.0 | 60.0% |
| 2012 | 27 | 3 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 50.0% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0% | 0.3 | 0.7 | 50.0% |
| 2006 | 21 | 6 | 19.5 | 8.7 | 6.7 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 50.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 1.0 | 3.0 | 33.3% | Total | 14 | 15.3 | 5.4 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 5.1 | 44% | 0.1 | 0.8 | 18% | 0.7 | 1.8 | 40% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Israel - Hapoel Galil Elyon (2007–2008), Hapoel Gilboa/Afula (2007–2008) | France - Besançon BCD (2007–2008), Élan Chalon (2016–2017), Champagne Châlons-Reims (2017–2018, 2020–2021), Élan Béarnais (2019–2020), Chorale Roanne (2020–2021) | Turkey - Selçuk Üniversitesi (2008–2009), Uşak Sportif (2016–2017) | Puerto Rico - Gigantes de Carolina (2009) | Czech Republic - ČEZ Nymburk (2016–2017) | Germany - Skyliners Frankfurt (2016–2017), Oettinger Rockets (2017–2018)
Ibekwe joined Hapoel Galil Elyon for the 2007–08 Israeli Premier League season, beginning his professional career in Israel after signing in August 2007 before being released in October 2007.
He remained in Israel during the 2007–08 season with Hapoel Gilboa/Afula, and after parting ways in February 2008 he finished the season in France with Besançon BCD.
Ibekwe joined Selçuk Üniversitesi for the 2008–09 Turkish Basketball League season, and in May 2009 he moved to Puerto Rico to play for Gigantes de Carolina for the remainder of the 2009 BSN season.
After later returning to Europe, Ibekwe signed with ČEZ Nymburk for the 2016–17 season in the Czech Republic on July 20, 2016, then left on October 20, 2016 to join Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany on a two-month contract before departing when the deal expired.
He returned to Turkey later in the 2016–17 season after signing with Uşak Sportif on December 30, 2016, and he finished the same season in France after joining Élan Chalon on May 1, 2017 for the rest of the LNB Pro A campaign.
Ibekwe opened the 2017–18 season in Germany after signing a three-month deal with the Oettinger Rockets on September 4, 2017, then moved back to France on December 30, 2017 to play the remainder of the season with Champagne Châlons-Reims in Pro A.
On November 29, 2019, Ibekwe signed with Élan Béarnais in France’s LNB Pro A and averaged 8.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and he later returned to Champagne Châlons-Reims after signing on August 7, 2020 before joining Chorale Roanne on February 11, 2021 in the same league.
COLLEGE
Ibekwe played college basketball at Maryland from the 2003–04 season through the 2006–07 season, developing into a multi-year starter and one of the program’s most productive shot-blockers across the four-year span.
As a freshman in 2003–04, Ibekwe appeared in all 32 games and made seven starts, averaging 13.6 minutes, 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 51.6% at the free throw line.
In 2003–04, he played in both of Maryland’s NCAA Tournament games, posting 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks against UTEP on March 18, then adding 6 points and 9 rebounds against Syracuse on March 20, while the season overall finished with him leading the team in blocks with 44 and recording 22 games with at least one block.
As a sophomore in 2004–05, Ibekwe played 30 games and started 18, lifting his role to 21.5 minutes per game and averaging 8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, with season shooting splits that included 40.9% from the field and 55.2% at the line, while totaling 55 blocks across the year.
During the 2004–05 season he recorded his first career double-double at Wisconsin on November 30, scoring 21 points on 10-for-13 shooting with 12 rebounds, and he was heavily involved in Maryland’s postseason NIT run with a stretch that included 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks against Davidson on March 23 and 10 points with 8 rebounds and 3 blocks against TCU on March 26.
As a junior in 2005–06, Ibekwe appeared in 32 games and made 30 starts, averaging 23.5 minutes, 11.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 62.3% at the foul line, and he produced five double-doubles while recording at least one block in 27 of 32 games.
In his senior season (2006–07), Ibekwe played 33 games and averaged 25.2 minutes, 10.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game, earning ACC All-Defensive Team recognition and All-ACC honorable mention while shooting 49.4% from the field and 63.6% at the stripe, and he delivered a career-high 22 points with 14 rebounds against St. John’s on November 16 before adding a 13-rebound, 6-block game versus American on December 23.
Maryland returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2006–07, where Ibekwe posted 11 points and 10 rebounds against Davidson on March 15, then added 8 points and 9 rebounds against Butler on March 18, and he finished his Maryland career with 1,107 points, 781 rebounds, and 230 blocks across 127 games, reaching the 1,000-point and 500-rebound marks while becoming one of the school’s top shot-blockers by total rejections.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL Second Team
Related
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