This season, the Portland Trail Blazers have restructured their team, adding young players to their roster to make the average age of the team 23.9. This move is part of management’s strategy to invest in the future as well as become more competitive in a tough Western Conference after only finishing fifth last year. Three African players are currently active in the roster who will be part of changing the culture of Portland’s basketball.
Al-Farouq Aminu
Al-Farouq Aminu is a 6’8 American-Nigerian power forward born to Aboubarkar and Anjirlic Aminu on the 21 September 1990. He played basketball at Norcoss High School located in Georgia. By his senior year, he was ranked as one of the top college recruits in the class of 2008.
Aminu committed to Wake Forest University – which boasts several NBA All-Stars and played there for two seasons where he made the ACC All-Freshman team. In 2010, he declared for the NBA Draft and was selected as the eighth overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers. Since then, Aminu has played for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks before signing with the Blazers.
His athleticism is impressive especially in transition. He has shown flashes of his ability to shoot but he still needs to improve his mid-range jumper. He’ll definitely be one to watch.
Noah Vonleh
Noah Vonleh was born on 24 August 1995 to Samuel and Renell Kumel in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The 6’9” power forward attended New Hampton High School before signing a letter of intent to play for Indiana University. As a freshman, Vonleh earned Big Ten third team and All-Freshman team honours in 2014. At the end of the season, Vonleh declared for the NBA Draft and was picked ninth overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
After recovering from an injury, he was assigned by the Hornets to their NBA D-League team, Fort Wayne Mad Ants. In 2015, he was traded to the Trail Blazers.
His size and wingspan will make him a defensive asset to the team – especially in the post. He is a proficient rebounder who is aggressive on both ends of the court.
Festus Ezeli
Ifeanyi Festus Ezeli-Ndube is a Nigeria born, 6’11” center born on 21 October 1989. At the age of 14, Ezeli emigrated to the United States and lived with his uncle in Yuba City, California. It was there where he was exposed to basketball and played for a low-level AAU team as he was unqualified to play for a high school since he had already graduated. He attended Yuba Community College before being recruited to play for Vanderbilt University where he vastly improved as a player. After graduating, he declared for the 2012 NBA Draft and was selected 30th overall by the Golden State Warriors. He was part of the 2014-15 Warriors team that won the NBA Championship and last year’s team that accomplished the historic 73-game wins in the regular-season. During the offseason, Ezeli signed with Portland but has been ruled out recently due to a left knee injury.
Ezeli, when healthy, is a good rebounder and rim protector which is one of Portland’s biggest needs. He also is an efficient defender that can offer coverage to the backcourt.
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