Daniel Utomi

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Daniel Utomi
Pistoia Basket 2000
PositionSmall forward
LeagueSerie A2 Basket
Personal information
Born (1997-03-07) March 7, 1997 (age 24)
Houston, Texas
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2020 / Undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020Kauhajoki Karhu
2021Vichy-Clermont
2021–presentPistoia Basket 2000

Uzodinma Utomi (born March 7, 1997), better known as Daniel Utomi, is an American-born Nigerian[1] professional basketball player for Pistoia Basket 2000 of the Serie A2 Basket. He played college basketball for USC and Akron.

High school career[]

Utomi attended Westside High School in Houston, Texas. As a junior, he was named to the First-Team All-District. Utomi averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds per game as a junior, shooting 46 percent from three-point range. He garnered District Most Valuable Player honors after helping lead the Wolves to a 21-9 record and a spot in the regional tournament last season.[2] In April 2015, Utomi committed to play college basketball at Akron.[3]

College career[]

After playing in two games as a true freshman, Utomi suffered a foot injury and was forced to redshirt the season.[4] Utomi averaged 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds per game as a redshirt freshman. He took on a leadership role during his redshirt sophomore season due to the departure of much of the team as well as coach Keith Dambrot.[5] On November 18, 2017, Utomi scored a career-high 32 points and made a career-high seven three-pointers in a 76-59 win against UT Martin.[6] As a redshirt sophomore, he averaged 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 40.6 percent from behind the arc. Utomi led Akron in scoring as a redshirt junior with 14.2 points per game while also averaging 5.5 rebounds 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, earning Honorable Mention All-Mid-American Conference recognition. Following the season, he decided to transfer to USC as a graduate transfer, choosing the Trojans over North Carolina, Kansas, and Virginia.[4] Utomi was ranked the 23rd best graduate transfer according to ESPN.[7] On February 15, 2020, he scored a season-high 23 points in a 70-51 victory over Washington State.[8] As a senior, Utomi averaged 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.[9]

Professional career[]

On July 18, 2020, Utomi signed with Kauhajoki Karhu of the Finnish Korisliiga.[10] In his debut on October 13, he scored 25 points in an 84-82 loss to Helsinki Seagulls.[11] Utomi averaged 12.6 points per game shooting 53.7 percent from three-point range. He bought out of his contract on December 4.[12] On February 22, 2021, Utomi signed with JA Vichy-Clermont Métropole Basket of the LNB Pro B.[13] He averaged 11.9 points and 3 rebounds per game. On September 11, 2021, Utomi signed with Pistoia Basket 2000 of the Serie A2 Basket.[14]

Nigeria national team[]

He has been part of Nigeria's national team at the AfroBasket 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b D’Tigers FIBA Afrobasket final roster released TODAY.ng, 19 August 2021. Accessed 26 August.
  2. ^ "Zips basketball: UA officially welcomes Daniel Utomi". Akron Beacon-Journal. April 16, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Akron Zips fill basketball recruiting void quickly with another Texan". The Plain Dealer. April 16, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Trevino, Chris (April 16, 2019). "HOOPS: Grad transfer Daniel Utomi commits to USC". 247 Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  5. ^ Thomas, George (December 5, 2017). "University of Akron basketball: Sophomore Daniel Utomi trims the fat, takes lead role with Zips". Akron Beacon-Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  6. ^ "Akron downs UT Martin 76-59 on Utomi's career night". ESPN. Associated Press. November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Borzello, Jeff (April 16, 2019). "Akron grad transfer Utomi headed to USC". ESPN. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "Utomi lifts USC to 70-51 victory over Washington State". ESPN. Associated Press. February 15, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  9. ^ Amico, Sam (August 5, 2020). "Former Akron and USC guard Utomi headed overseas". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  10. ^ "Daniel Utomi signs with Karhu Basket". Sportando. July 18, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "Miesten Korisliiga alkoi heti trillerillä, jossa Seagulls vei voiton – Sarcevic nousi Rannikon rinnalle kaikkien aikojen syöttötilastossa". Yle.fi (in Finnish). October 13, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  12. ^ "Daniel Utomi parts ways with Kauhajoki Basket". Sportando. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  13. ^ "Daniel Utomi signs with Vichy-Clermont". Sportando. February 22, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  14. ^ "Daniel Utomi joins Pistoia Basket 2000". Sportando. September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.

External links[]

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