Oregon State trailed 34-32 at halftime after conceding 16 … “I still have a lot of stuff to work on but I feel like I’m creating a path for myself,” he said. “Had he not been injured, I think every school in the county would have been knocking on the door trying to recruit him — he was that special of an athletic talent,” said Marty Clarke, technical director of NBA Global Academy, housed at the Australian Institute of Sport. © Copyright 2021, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy, Report: Washington State forward Jaz Kunc enters transfer portal, 'A massive, massive moment.' Efe Abogidi scored five points, Aljaz Kunc added a bucket and Williams scored the game's final points on a floater as Washington State (14-10, 7-10 Pac-12) blanked Stanford 9-0 in the final overtime. Rookie forward Andrej Jakimovski has a particularly high ceiling and often started ahead of Kunc. Washington State (8-0) won its first 14 games of the 2007-08 season. Freshman Efe Abogidi had his third consecutive double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Washington State beat Northwestern State … “Not a lot of people go through a journey from Nigeria to Senegal to Australia, then go to the USA to play basketball.”. Oregon State trailed 34-32 at halftime after conceding 16 … The 6-8 Jakimovski, who had scored in double figures in three straight games, finished with three points on 0-for-8 shooting. It’s been just 11 days since WSU quarterback Jayden de Laura was suspended by the football program after a DUI arrest in Pullman. That was always the plan, but after introducing himself nearly four yours ago with a free throw-line dunk that became a social media hit, Abogidi practically disappeared Down Under. Washington State finished the contest with a 49-30 advantage in the rebounding battle. 1 Gonzaga on Monday and Tuesday. Now, less … Did you know nearly half of adults with high blood pressure are women and many don’t know their blood pressure numbers are high? “I feel like next season I'll be better. Two true freshmen in Efe Abogidi and Dishon Jackson shined underneath throughout the season. Freshman post Efe Abogidi and sophomore guard Noah Williams added 12 points apiece. The 19-year-old Nigerian is known for his high-flying dunks and plays for Washington State in the Pac-12. Cougars' season of achievements will culminate at the NCAA Tournament …, Washington State declines CBI invite, ends 2020-21 season with 14-13 record …, Mum on future, Washington State's Isaac Bonton says 'right now, my mind's totally focused on the season' …, Late sequence, turnovers doom Washington State in 64-59 loss to Arizona State in Pac-12 Tournament …. The 6-foot-10 Nigerian is averaging 16.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks over the past three games. The Cougars are assured of their first winning record in nine years. Northwestern State had 16 points on 6-of-32 shooting at the break – the Demons’ lowest-scoring half of the season. Abogidi was playing at a tournament in Canberra when he was bumped while dunking. McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, Arizona; Thursday, 11 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Washington State seeks revenge on Arizona after dropping the first matchup in Pullman. The 19-year-old Nigerian is known for his high-flying dunks and plays for Washington State in the Pac-12. PULLMAN – Freshman Efe Abogidi had his third consecutive double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Washington State beat Northwestern State 62-52 on Wednesday to improve upon its best start in 13 years. "I put him in school, he lived with me, played for my team,” said Oyedeji, who has become a father figure to Abogidi. With bipartisan support in Congress for permanent daylight saving time, could this weekend's time change be the last? My skills will be way more refined," he said. Abogidi has started all 26 games for the Cougars (14-12, 7-12), averaging 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as they prepare for the Pac-12 Tournament. He's 6-foot-9 and 220 pounds — Abogidi says he's generously listed as 6-10 — with a 7-foot-4 wingspan. He was 5-for-7 shooting and made 5 of 6 free throws. Abogidi also tied a career high with four blocks, including a pair in a 37-second span early in the second half. Jairus Roberson hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points for Northwestern State (1-10). In late December, he was the conference's freshman of the week, an award dominated by expected lottery pick Evan Mobley of USC. Abogidi said he hasn't decided about the NBA draft, though 2022 seems more plausible. A GRIP ON SPORTS • College basketball halftimes are somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 minutes long, considering the comings and goings. Facebook After Washington State freshman Efe Abogidi sank a 3-pointer to seal a triple-overtime win over Stanford, teammate Aljaž Kunc said “there's more to come” from the 19-year-old Nigerian. Jakimovski drove and dished to Efe Abogidi for a go-ahead layin, Aljaz Kunc hit a putback and, half a minute later, Jakimovski slyly found Abogidi with … Abogidi and the Cougars struggled adjusting to conference play, but he posted 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 77-62 win over Washington on Jan. 31 to snap a six-game losing streak. Even now, Abogidi says, “my knee is not 100%" but “it's going to get there.”. As the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick celebrates his birthday today, Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club have chosen to join the global football fraternity in celebrating this great son of Nigeria. Abogidi became the first Cougar with back-to-back double-doubles since CJ Elleby in February. Abogidi hit 81.1 percent of his free-throw attempts, becoming the first freshman in school history to hit more than 80 percent at the line. Efe Abogidi poured in 19 points and had a game-high 15 rebounds. Efe Abogidi (0) Forward - PRIOR TO WSU – Joined the Cougars out of the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Efe Abogidi - Men's Basketball - Washington State … 3 of 12 4 of 12 Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) dunks next to California guard Jarred Hyder (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in … It just gets in your head, makes you feel like you don't love the game you used to love before. The 6-5 guard went into the game averaging 14.5 points, including six games in a row scoring in double figures. Isaac Bonton, Efe Abogidi, Andrej Jakimovski and Dishon Jackson have combined to account for 53 percent of the team's scoring this year and 46 percent of all Cougars points over the last five games. On the other side, freshmen Isaac Bonton, Efe Abogidi, Andrej Jakimovski and Dishon Jackson have combined to account for 50 percent of all Washington State scoring. Abogidi hit 81.1 percent of his free-throw attempts, becoming the first freshman in school history to hit more than 80 percent at the line. He moved to Lagos and joined an academy run by former NBA player Olumide Oyedeji. FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 file photo, Arizona State forward Kimani Lawrence drives past Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Tempe, Ariz. Latest on Washington State Cougars center Efe Abogidi including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN He landed awkwardly and the damage was done. The winner will be announced April 1. But after my first practice back, I thought, I still have a little stuff in me, I could go harder, I could take this a lot further.”. Freshman Efe Abogidi had his first double-double, Noah Williams scored a career-high 21 points and Washington State beat Montana State 82-54 on Friday night. Besides Washington State, Abogidi also received scholarship offers from Creighton and the University of Texas-Arlington. He returned to start the second half but was limited to two points in 10 minutes. The campus in Pullman is a long way from Ughelli in southern Nigeria, where as a 12-year-old boy Abogidi played pickup games on the town's lone court, featuring a crooked rim and no net. “Sometimes I’d mess up my big toe.”. On the other bench, freshmen Efe Abogidi, Dishon Jackson and Andrej Jakimovski have collectively scored 30 percent of Washington State's points this season.MIGHTY MATT: Matt Bradley has … 6 of 12 7 of 12 Washington State center Efe Abogidi dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington in Pullman, Wash., Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Laycon Is Good But The Only Person He Is Better Than In The Music Industry Is Efe Entertainment [ March 11, 2021 ] Negotiating with terrorists suggests weakness of government ― FG News [ March 11, 2021 ] Comedy Video: The Cute Abiola – My Wives And I (EP1) But … He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus and underwent the first of three surgeries. Lower Snake River dam-breaching proposal a 'nonstarter' for more than a dozen regional environmental groups, 2021 recruit Hunter Sallis trending in Gonzaga's direction, State completes audit of disputed herd; records show no discrepancies at Easterday operation. Cougars coach Kyle Smith had visited Australia to watch Abogidi practice, having recruited Aussies like Matthew Dellavedova to St. Mary’s when he was an assistant there. PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) -- Efe Abogidi scored 16 points with 14 rebounds and a career-best four blocked shots as Washington State remained unbeaten, dispatching Prairie View A&M 90-62 Monday night. I was just focused on getting my leg back on track,” Abogidi said in an interview with The Associated Press. Washington State’s Noah Williams left the court while he appeared to be holding his neck about 90 seconds into the game. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. Get the day’s top sports headlines and breaking news delivered to your inbox by subscribing here. Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) dunks the ball as Montana State forward Abdul Mohamed (0) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, … FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 file photo, Washington State center Efe Abogidi, left, dunks the ball next to Stanford forward Oscar da Silva (13) during the first overtime of an NCAA college basketball game, in Pullman, Wash. A serious knee injury nearly ended Efe Abogidi's basketball career but he's now back on the NBA draft radar. “I just didn't give up.”, More AP college basketball: http://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25, For Washington State's Abogidi, basketball is a global game. The high-flying Abogidi, who plays forward and center for the Cougars, was grounded for more than two years after badly injuring his left knee in a June 2017 game at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. “Going against guys like (Mobley) makes me feel like I have a lot of stuff to work on, so I’m thinking come back next season and I’m ready and prepared to compete at the highest level.". A serious knee injury nearly ended Efe Abogidi's basketball career but he's now back on the NBA draft radar. But his journey from West Africa to the West Coast was atypical with stops in Senegal and Australia. Scouts seem to agree as Abogidi has quietly played his way onto the NBA draft radar. Isaac Bonton missed seven games and a crucial stretch of the Pac-12 schedule with sprained ankles, but the Washington State guard still performed well … “I'd see my team training every day, I just felt left out sitting on the sidelines for two years. As he grew, his sneakers were too small but he kept wearing them until holes developed. “I wasn't really thinking about playing basketball. Isaac Bonton had 13 points and three steals, Warren finished with 11 points and freshman Andrej Jakimovski grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds for the Cougars. Senior Larry Owens added nine points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Amin Adamu (12) and Mike Hood (11) were the lone Bobcats in double figures as Montana State shot a season-low 26.8% from the floor. His 3-pointer against Stanford followed 20 consecutive misses from distance, however, which Abogidi chalked up to an injured finger. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m here now,” Abogidi said. “He understood that to be the best player, you need to be in a better environment.”. He's often described as “raw” and lacks ball-handling skills, but his 81.9% free-throw shooting will impress scouts who see it as a barometer for long-range shooting potential. When he outgrew Lagos, he moved to Senegal for the NBA's African academy — part of the league's global ecosystem giving recruits access to elite facilities, coaching and medical care. “I couldn’t find my size,” he said. Northwestern State scored eight of the first 10 second-half points to trim its deficit to 29-24 with 18:31 to play, but Abogidi answered with a three-point play to spark a 13-2 run and the Demons got no closer. The winner will be announced April 1. Freshman post Efe Abogidi and sophomore guard Noah Williams added 12 points apiece. But his journey from West Africa to the West Coast was atypical with stops in Senegal and Australia. Washington State center Efe Abogidi, left, and Washington forward Nate Roberts go after a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in … FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 file photo, Washington State center Efe Abogidi, centre, celebrates alongside guard Myles Warren (2) after beating Stanford, in an NCAA college basketball game, in Pullman, Wash. A serious knee injury nearly ended Efe Abogidi's basketball career but he's now back on the NBA draft radar. The National President of Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi in a signed publication described the NFF boss […] The Demons, who played their third game in three days, have lost five in a row – including back-to-back losses against No. SEATTLE (AP) - A year ago, Noah Williams strutted around on Washington's home court yelling "this is my city," after winning in his hometown for the first time. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Myles Warren scored eight points – including a 3-pointer that gave Washington State the lead for good about 5 minutes into the game – during a 17-0 run that made it 22-8 midway through the first half. Jerseyville man faces multiple drug charges, Man charged with striking teacher, officer in November, Two charged in Collinsville armed robbery, Glen Carbon man faces aggravated DUI charge, Wood River, Jerseyville win state rec grants, Patient advocate, entrepreneur found confidence at L&C, Appointments coming at county board meeting Wednesday, Bills would end parental notifications of abortions, Rare yellow cardinal has taken a liking to Rushville. FAB FRESHMEN: Washington State's Efe Abogidi, Andrej Jakimovski and Dishon Jackson have collectively accounted for 29 percent of the team's scoring this season, including 28 percent of …