Precious Achiuwa’s name might already ring bells for many fans, but there’s so much more to the man than his moves on the court. Playing for the New York Knicks, Achiuwa’s journey to the NBA spans continents and cultures. Who is Precious Achiuwa off the court? What’s the story of his ethnicity and family roots that makes him so special?

Let’s take a closer look at the background of this rising star.

What is Precious Achiuwa’s ethnicity? Exploring the roots and nationality of the Knicks star

Precious Achiuwa was born on September 19, 1999, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and comes from an Igbo descent, one of the largest and most influential ethnic groups in the country’s southeastern part. He grew up deeply rooted in a culture that values hard work, education, and community. As a young boy, basketball wasn’t Precious’s favorite game. Like many kids his age, he spent most of his time playing soccer, the most popular sport in Nigeria. His shift to basketball came at the age of 14 when his family moved to the US, marking the start of his journey.

His parents settled in New York, and Achiuwa began playing basketball for his school. In his junior year, he led the team to a 28–2 record. In his senior year, he transferred to Montverde Academy, Florida, and led his team to the semifinals at GEICO High School Nationals. Since then, he’s been on the map of a raw young talent. His performance earned him MaxPreps All-American fifth team, USA Today All-USA third team, and USA Today All-USA Florida first-team honors.

He attended the University of Memphis and played with the Tigers, earning Player and Freshman of the Year honors in the American Athletic Conference. His journey to the NBA began in 2020 when the Miami Heat selected him as the 20th overall pick. He then spent time with the Toronto Raptors before joining the New York Knicks in 2023.

Does Precious Achiuwa have Nigerian citizenship? Did he play for the Nigerian National Team?

Precious Achiuwa’s family has played a huge role in his journey to success. His parents, Eunice Achiuwa and Donatus Achiuwa, were both Pentecostal ministers. Growing up, his older brother, God’sgift Achiuwa, played college basketball at St. John’s University. Besides God’sgift, he also has two other brothers, God’swill and Promise, along with two sisters, Grace and Peace. While the Achiuwa family holds both Nigerian and American citizenship, Precious has represented Nigeria – one of his standout moments at the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics.

Achiuwa has a wide range of interests beyond basketball, which includes music. He plays drums, piano and does a capella by recreating the sounds he’s listening. During the pandemic, he started deejaying with beats and sounds and even spinning turntables at a team event. Fashion is another way Precious expresses himself so easily. He’s been to the GQ Party and New York Fashion Week multiple times, with A-list celebrities and fashion icons.

Achiuwa’s curiosity also extends to food and wine tasting. Moving to the U.S. at 14 opened his world to diverse cuisines, and now, as an adult, he’s fully embraced the multicultural food scene in a city like New York. He has a particular fondness for exploring unique restaurants, from upscale Italian eateries, and vineyards to Northern Thai spots.

His favorite? Patois, a restaurant known for its inventive fusion of Caribbean and Asian flavors. That sounds like one on the bucket list!

As much as Achiuwa enjoys his time exploring his tastes and hobbies, he’s well aware the sport of basketball has allowed him to discover all the pleasures. As he continues to make his mark on the NBA, there’s no doubt that he’ll carry his heritage with pride, inspiring future generations of Nigerian athletes.