Michael Olowokandi is a renowned former Nigerian professional basketball player. He is most known for his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. Olowokandi, a product of the University of the Pacific, was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers as their center in the 1998 NBA Draft. Later signed as a free agency by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Olowokandi played professionally until 2007. In terms of his personal life, the retired basketball player was previously in a long-term relationship with Suzanne Ketcham. He was also arrested on allegations of robbery, false imprisonment, and domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. Olowokandi was exonerated of any wrongdoing after Ketcham claimed that whatever had occurred was her fault and withdrew all allegations. Olowokandi, who is not a user of social media, enjoys other sports, such as cricket and rugby, and played them in high school.
Michael Olowokandi’s Career
Michael Olowokandi led his basketball team to the 1997 NCAA Tournament and the 1998 National Invitation Tournament during his junior year. In 1997–98, he was named Big West Conference Player of the Year. After his senior year, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Olowokandi as the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft.
Olowokandi played approximately 36 games in 2002–03 before suffering an injury that stopped him from playing for the remainder of the season. In his final season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Olowokandi suffered knee and hernia injuries that severely affected his play.
He finished the season averaging 12.3 points per game. After five seasons with the Clippers, he signed as an unrestricted free agency with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2003–04 NBA season. The Nigerian player’s tenure with this team was marred by numerous injuries and uneven performance. In 2006, he was transferred to the Boston Celtics in a multi-player transaction.
Overall, Olowokandi’s professional basketball career was rather disappointing, and he was frequently cited as one of the NBA’s worst letdowns. In addition, the Clippers’ selection of the player was deemed foolish because the 1998 NBA draft also had players such as Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Mike Bibby, and Antawn Jamison, who all went on to become more successful basketball players.
Michael’s Personal Life
Michael Olowokandi was born in Lagos, Nigeria on April 3, 1975. Ezekiel, his father, was a diplomat. There is a sibling named Soji Abidemi. Olowokandi attended Newlands Manor School before enrolling at Brunel University in England.
He also attended the University of the Pacific and graduated with a degree in economics. Olowokandi was in a long-term relationship with Suzanne Ketcham. However, the pair eventually split up.
Estimated Net Worth
Michael Olowokandi, often known as The Kandi Man, is a retired professional basketball player of Nigerian descent with a net worth of $20 million. Michael Olowokandi amassed a fortune as a basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Boston Celtics. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olowokandi was raised in London, England.