Abdul Wahab "Alade" Aminu (born September 14, 1987) is a Nigerian-American professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
player who most recently played for
Gigantes de Carolina of the
Baloncesto Superior Nacional
The Baloncesto Superior Nacional, abbreviated as BSN, is the first-tier-level professional men's basketball league in Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1929 and is organized by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation.
The Baloncesto Superior Naci ...
(BSN). He played
college basketball
In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...
for the
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), located in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wrec ...
, before playing professionally in France, Turkey, Italy, Israel, and Lebanon. In 2015–16, he was the
top rebounder in the Israel Basketball Premier League.
Early life and college career
Aminu attended
Stephenson High School in
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 6,703 according to the 2020 US Census. Stone Mountain is in the eastern part of DeKalb County and is a suburb of Atlanta that encompasses nearly 1.7 square mil ...
. He played college basketball for the
Georgia Institute of Technology's
Yellow Jackets
Yellowjacket or yellowjacket is the common name in North America for predatory social wasps of the genera '' Vespula'' and '' Dolichovespula''. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries. Most of th ...
.
In his freshman year at Georgia Tech, Aminu came off the bench in 24 games, averaging 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.9% from the floor.
In his sophomore year, Aminu's role increased slightly, in which he played 18 games, averaging 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, shooting 58.3% from the floor (his best shooting percentage during his college career).
In his senior year, he averaged 11.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 52.2% from the floor.
Professional career
D-League (2009–2010)
After going undrafted in the
2009 NBA draft
The 2009 NBA draft was held on June 25, 2009, at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, the National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other e ...
, Aminu joined the
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays ...
for the
2009 NBA Summer League. On November 5, 2009, Aminu was selected with the 10th overall pick in the
2009 NBA D-League by the
Fort Wayne Mad Ants
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are an American professional basketball team of the NBA G League based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and are affiliated with the Indiana Pacers. The team plays their home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The Mad ...
. However, he was subsequently acquired by the
Erie BayHawks in a trade. On February 13, 2010, Aminu participated in the
2010 D-League All-Star Game.
On March 2, 2010, The BayHawks sent Aminu in a trade to the
Bakersfield Jam
Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is the county seat and largest city of Kern County. The city covers about near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Valley region. Bakersfield's pop ...
. In 9 games played for the Jam, he averaged 19.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
On March 26, 2010, Aminu signed a 10-day contract with the
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The club plays its home games at FT ...
. However, Aminu was later waived by the Heat on April 7.
Élan Chalon (2010–2012)
In July 2010, Aminu joined the
Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populou ...
and the
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at ...
for the
2010 NBA Summer League
The 2010 National Basketball Association Summer League ( NBA Summer League) was a pro basketball league ran by the NBA in the United States just following the 2010 NBA draft. Teams consisted of players who have been in the league for three years ...
.
On July 9, 2010, Aminu signed with the French team
Élan Chalon
Élan Sportif Chalonnais, commonly known as Élan Chalon, is a French professional basketball club that is based in Chalon-sur-Saône, France. The team's main colors are red and white, and their mascot is a moose. The team's home arena is called ...
for the 2010–11 season. On May 21, 2011, Aminu recorded a career-high 27 points, shooting 13-of-14 from the field, along with six rebounds in an 85–107 blowout loss to
ASVEL Basket. Aminu won the
2011 French Cup with Chalon.
On June 13, 2011, Aminu signed a one-year contract extension with Chalon. In his second season with the team, Aminu won the a treble – the
2012 French Leaders Cup, the
2012 French Cup and the
2012 French League Championship titles with Chalon. In 54 games played during the 2011–12 season, he averaged 11.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1 steals per game.
Pınar Karşıyaka (2012–2013)
On August 24, 2012, Aminu signed with the Turkish team
Pınar Karşıyaka
Pınar is a common feminine Turkish given name. In Turkish, "Pınar" means "Spring" (of water), and/or "Fountain". Notable people called Pınar include:
Given name
* Pinar Heggernes (born 1969), Turkish-born Norwegian computer scientist
* Pına ...
for the 2012–13 season. Aminu helped Karşıyaka reach the
2013 FIBA EuroChallenge Finals, where they eventually lost to
Krasnye Krylia.
Enel Brindisi and Banvit (2013–2014)
In July 2013, Aminu joined the
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. They play their home games a ...
for the
2013 NBA Summer League
The 2013 NBA Summer League is a pro basketball league run by the NBA just after the 2013 NBA draft. It gives newly drafted players a chance to test their skills against each other, and to give them a feel for professional basketball. All 30 NBA ...
.
On September 23, 2013, Aminu signed a one-year deal with the Italian team
Enel Brindisi. However, on December 30, 2013, Aminu parted ways with Brindisi. On January 6, 2014, Aminu returned to Turkey for a second stint, joining
Banvit
Banvit is a feed and poultry producer based in Bandırma, Turkey.
Business and activities
Starting as a feed producer in 1968, Banvit gradually moved into the production of broiler chickens. Today Banvit has the country's largest single broiler ...
for the rest of the season. Aminu helped Banvit reach the
2014 Turkish League Semifinals, where they were eventually eliminated by
Galatasaray
Galatasaray Spor Kulübü (, ''Galatasaray Sports Club'') is a Turkish sports club based on the European side of the city of Istanbul in Turkey. Most notable for its association football department, the club also consists of various other de ...
.
TED Ankara (2014–2015)
On August 15, 2014, Aminu signed with
TED Ankara for the 2014–15 season. On February 28, 2015, Aminu recorded a season-high 26 points without missing a single shot (12-of-12 from the field), along with eleven rebounds in an 85–97 loss to
Eskişehir
Eskişehir ( , ; from "old" and "city") is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of the Eskişehir Province. The urban population of the city is 898,369 with a metropolitan population of 797,708. The city is located on the banks of the ...
.
Hapoel Eilat (2015–2016)
On September 11, 2015, Aminu signed a one-year deal with the Israeli team
Hapoel Eilat. On October 26, 2015, Aminu recorded a season-high 25 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the field, along with twelve rebounds, five assists and two steals in an 84–86 loss to
Ironi Nahariya
Ironi Nahariya Basketball Club ( he, מועדון הכדורסל עירוני נהריה; ) known for sponsorship reasons as Ironi Rain Nahariya () is a professional basketball club based in city of Nahariya in northern Israel. The team plays in th ...
. On March 25, 2016, Aminu participated in the
2016 Israeli All-Star Game and the
Slam Dunk Contest
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest (officially known as the AT&T Slam Dunk) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. ''Sports Illustrated'' wrote "the dunk contest was the best halftime inventio ...
during the same event.
In 37 games played for Eilat, Aminu finished the season as the
2016 Israeli League Rebounding Leader with 10 rebounds per game, and third-leading player in efficiency rating (22.6 per game). He also averaged 14.7 points, 1.5 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. Aminu helped Eilat reach the
2016 Israeli League Semifinals, where they eventually lost to
Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Jerusalem is a sport organization in Jerusalem as a local branch of the Hapoel movement. The branch was established in the 1920s and represents the city in more sports than any other sport organization in Jerusalem. Today, the club's leadi ...
.
Al Riyadi (2016–2017)
On August 8, 2016, Aminu signed with the Lebanese team
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Al Riyadi Club Beirut ( ar, نادي الرياضي بيروت, lit=Sporting Club Beirut) is a multi-sports club based in Manara, a district in Beirut, Lebanon. Founded in 1934, the basketball team competes in the Lebanese Basketball League.
...
. In 37 games played during the 2016–17 season, he averaged 15 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists. 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Aminu won the
2017 Lebanese League Championship with Al Riyadi.
Nanterre 92 (2017–2018)
On July 28, 2017, Aminu returned to France for a second stint, signing a one-year deal with
Nanterre 92
Nanterre 92 is a professional basketball club from the city of Nanterre (a western suburb of Paris), France. The club plays in the top-tier level basketball league in France, the Pro A, since 2011. Founded in 2011 as JSF Nanterre, the club plays ...
. Aminu helped Nanterre reach the
2018 FIBA Champions League Round of 16, where they were eventually eliminated by his former team
Banvit
Banvit is a feed and poultry producer based in Bandırma, Turkey.
Business and activities
Starting as a feed producer in 1968, Banvit gradually moved into the production of broiler chickens. Today Banvit has the country's largest single broiler ...
.
Hapoel Tel Aviv (2018–2019)
On July 26, 2018, Aminu signed with the Israeli team
Hapoel Tel Aviv for the 2018–19 season. On November 19, 2018, Aminu recorded a season-highs 21 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 9-of-13 from the field, in an 85–62 win over
Maccabi Rishon LeZion. Aminu helped Hapoel reach the
2019 Israeli League Playoffs, where they eventually were eliminated by
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv ( he, מכבי תל אביב) is one of the largest sports clubs in Israel, and a part of the Maccabi association. Many sports clubs and teams in Tel Aviv are in association with Maccabi and compete in a variety of sports, such ...
in the Quarterfinals.
Polski Cukier Toruń (2019–2020)
On September 10, 2019, he has signed with
Polski Cukier Toruń
Polish may refer to:
* Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe
* Polish language
* Poles
Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...
of the
PLK.
Atléticos de San Germán / Gigantes de Carolina (2021–present)
On May 27, 2021, Aminu signed with
Atléticos de San Germán
Atléticos de San Germán is a basketball club of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) based in San Germán, Puerto Rico.
Founded in the 1930s after the amalgamation of the old San Germán team and the Farmacia Martín team, the team is one of ...
of the
Baloncesto Superior Nacional
The Baloncesto Superior Nacional, abbreviated as BSN, is the first-tier-level professional men's basketball league in Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1929 and is organized by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation.
The Baloncesto Superior Naci ...
. However, he was released on May 1, 2022.
The next day, he signed with
Gigantes de Carolina.
Nigerian national team
Aminu is a member of the senior men's
Nigerian national basketball team. He participated in the
2012
File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gat ...
and the
2016 Summer Olympics.
In August 2015, Aminu helped the Nigerian team to win the
2015 AfroBasket
AfroBasket 2015 was the 28th edition of the AfroBasket, a men's basketball continental championship of Africa. It also served as the qualifying tournament for FIBA Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics Basketball Tournament in Brazil. The tournament ...
and earning a gold medal.
Personal life
Aminu's father is Yoruba from
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, and his mother is African American from
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
.
Alade Aminu.
RamblinWrekc.cstv.com He was born in Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
, and grew up in nearby Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 6,703 according to the 2020 US Census. Stone Mountain is in the eastern part of DeKalb County and is a suburb of Atlanta that encompasses nearly 1.7 square mil ...
. His brother, Al-Farouq, is a professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the NBA.
References
External links
RealGM Profile
TBLStat.net Profile
Draftexpress.com Profile
French League Profile
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aminu, Alade
1987 births
Living people
American expatriate basketball people in France
American expatriate basketball people in Israel
American expatriate basketball people in Italy
American expatriate basketball people in Lebanon
American expatriate basketball people in Poland
American expatriate basketball people in Turkey
American men's basketball players
American people of Yoruba descent
American sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Bakersfield Jam players
Bandırma B.İ.K. players
Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Basketball players from Atlanta
Centers (basketball)
Élan Chalon players
Erie BayHawks (2008–2017) players
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball players
Hapoel Eilat basketball players
Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. players
Israeli Basketball Premier League players
Karşıyaka basketball players
Nanterre 92 players
New Basket Brindisi players
Nigerian expatriate basketball people in France
Nigerian expatriate basketball people in Israel
Nigerian expatriate basketball people in Italy
Nigerian expatriate basketball people in Lebanon
Nigerian expatriate basketball people in Poland
Nigerian expatriate basketball people in Turkey
Nigerian men's basketball players
Olympic basketball players of Nigeria
People from Stone Mountain, Georgia
Power forwards (basketball)
TED Ankara Kolejliler players
Twarde Pierniki Toruń players
Yoruba sportspeople
Al Riyadi Club Beirut basketball players
Shahrdari Gorgan players