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On Wednesday, the Miami Heat signed 20th overall pick, and former Memphis Tigers forward, Precious Achiuwa to his rookie-scale contract, the team announced in a press release.
Achiuwa will earn $2,151,800 next season as the No. 20 pick.
The 21-year-old was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year after averaging 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.1 steals and one assist in 31 games played last season with the Tigers. He was also named the AAC Freshman of the Year.
Achiuwa is one of five players from Nigeria since 2000 to be selected in the first round, joining Josh Okogie, Festus Ezeli, Mamadou N’diaye and Udoka Azubuike. Achiuwa and Azubuike also became the first two players selected in the first round of the same draft.
15.8 points (49.3% FG), 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steals over 31 games. See what else @PreciousAchiuwa achieved during his freshman year at @Memphis_MBB https://t.co/bcogoHJT7e
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 25, 2020
Achiuwa projects to be a good fit with the Heat in the frontcourt.
The pairing of Achiuwa next to Bam Adebayo in certain lineups would also give the Heat a strong advantage on the defensive end. Miami has plenty of depth in the frontcourt, with Adebayo, Meyers Leonard, Kelly Olynyk and Chris Silva, so finding minutes for Achiuwa could be a challenge but head coach Erik Spoelstra will find a way to make it work.
Achiuwa will wear No. 15 next season with the Heat.
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