The New York Knicks ended 2023 with a major move. Aiming to climb the ranks of the Eastern Conference, the Knicks traded for OG Anunoby, along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, in a deal that sent RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors.
The deal also made it possible for Nigerian-born center Achiuwa to go back to where he first honed his basketball skills. During his formative years, Achiuwa attended Our Savior Lutheran in The Bronx and St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark. He also frequented Madison Square Garden, where he had the chance to watch his older brother, God’sgift Achiuwa, play for St. John’s from 2011 to 2014.
“I’m very excited to be back home in front of my family, friends that I grew up with,” said Achiuwa before the Knicks’ 112-106 win over the Timberwolves. “Really, really a very exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to it. I mean you talk about basketball at the highest level, this is one of the first places that comes to people’s minds, the mecca of basketball. Me being able to play in the Garden and not just in the Garden, but also in front of my family and friends, means a lot to me.”
But even though he’s now back at his old stomping grounds, a move to a new team, just like starting a new job, or going to a new school, alway is kind of awkward at first, and you often find yourself being the odd man out.
This is kind of what happened to Achiuwa at halftime. As the team was warming up for the third quarter, everyone forgot about Precious.
