Koko Archibong

Koko Archibong
Personal information
Born (1981-05-10) May 10, 1981 (age 43)
New York City, New York
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolPolytechnic School
(Pasadena, California)
CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania (1999–2003)
NBA draft2003: undrafted
Playing career2003–2012
PositionSmall Forward
Career history
2003–2004Pau-Orthez
2004–2006Baskets
2006–2007Alba Berlin
2007–2008Skyliners Frankfurt
2008–2009Prokom Sopot
2009–2010Giants Düsseldorf
2010–2011Bayreuth
2011–2012Gießen 46ers
Career highlights and awards

Aniekan Okon “Koko” Archibong (born May 10, 1981) is a former Nigerian-American professional basketball player. At a height of 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) tall, he played at the small forward position.

Early life and education

Koko Archibong was born as Aniekan Okon Archibong in New York City, the first-born son in his family. His parents were academic scholars who emigrated to the United States for their studies. He is called Koko because it means "junior" in Nigeria.[1]

He attended the Polytechnic School[2] in Pasadena, California, and then the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Pre-Med bachelor's degree (BSc Pre-Med) in 2003. He subsequently earned a Master of Public Health (MPH)[3] degree from the University of Liverpool in 2013.

He is the older brother of artist and designer Ini Archibong.[4]

Work and career

In 2013, Archibong founded a basketball skills training business and also became assistant athletic director of the Polytechnic School, his alma mater.[2] He became a client relationship associate with the Capital Group in 2015,[5] and now serves as a vice president and Private Wealth Advisor.[6]

College basketball career

Archibong played college basketball at the University of Pennsylvania, with the Penn Quakers from 2000 to 2003. In his junior season, he averaged 14.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, while shooting .510 shooting from the field. In the same season, he set a school record (along with teammates Tim Begley, Ugonna Onyekwe and Jeff Schiffner) by starting all 32 games the Quakers played that season.

Archibong captained the 2002–03 team with Andy Toole, leading Penn to a 22–6 record (including a 14–0 Ivy League mark) and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. He ended his Penn career with 1,131 points, 504 rebounds, 110 assists, 76 steals and 59 blocked shots while making 99 starts.[7] He was a two-time All-Ivy and Academic All-Ivy League selection.

Professional basketball career

After a few pre-draft workouts with the Phoenix Suns, he went undrafted in the 2003 NBA draft. He went on to become part of the Suns' Summer League team in the 2003 Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City.[8] He later made to the training camp of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003.

Archibong played professional basketball in France, Germany, and Poland. In 2005, he won the German League championship with GHP Bamberg. He played in the EuroLeague with the clubs Pau-Orthez, Brose Baskets, and Prokom Sopot.

Nigerian national team

Archibong played with the senior men's Nigerian national basketball team. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.[9]

References

  1. ^ "One-on-One with Koko Archibong". NBA.com.
  2. ^ a b "Koko Archibong '99 named assistant athletic director". Polytechnic School. July 3, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  3. ^ -life-sciences/. "Master of Public Health MPH". University of Liverpool. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Reddinger, Paige (September 1, 2019). "Design Maven Ini Archibong on His Hermès Watch Collection, Vinyl Records and Favorite Cocktail". Robb Report. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  5. ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kokoarchibong [self-published source]
  6. ^ "Koko Archibong". Capital Group. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Koko Archibong C'03 Headed to Olympic Games". Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  8. ^ "One-on-One with Koko Archibong". NBA.com.
  9. ^ "Men's Basketball". London2012.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.