Precious Achiuwa

Early life

Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to parents of Igbo heritage, Achiuwa grew up primarily playing soccer. He began concentrating on basketball in eighth grade after relocating to the United States, with his family settling in Queens, New York. As a high school freshman, he played for Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx. He then attended St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey for two years.

During his junior season, he averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.2 steals per game, guiding his team to a 28–2 record and earning MaxPreps Junior All-American second team recognition. For his senior year, he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, leading the squad with 14 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and advancing to the GEICO High School Nationals semifinals. He received MaxPreps All-American fifth team, USA Today All-USA third team, and USA Today All-USA Florida first team honors.

On March 27, 2019, he scored 22 points in the McDonald's All-American Game, and on April 12, he played for the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit. He committed to Memphis on May 17, 2019.

College career

In his first game for Memphis, Achiuwa posted 14 points and eight rebounds in a 97–64 victory over South Carolina State. He reached a season-high 25 points on November 23 in an 87–86 win against Ole Miss, earning AAC player of the week honors two days later.

On December 23, he secured conference freshman of the week recognition after recording 20 points and nine rebounds in a 77–49 win over Jackson State. At the end of the regular season, he was named AAC Player and Freshman of the Year, averaging 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He entered the 2020 NBA draft following his freshman season.

Professional career

Achiuwa signed his rookie scale contract with the Miami Heat on November 25, 2020, and appeared in 61 games (four starts) during the 2020–21 season, averaging 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds. On August 6, 2021, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors alongside Goran Dragić in a sign-and-trade deal for Kyle Lowry. In his Raptors debut on October 20, he had eight points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. On November 24, he made a career-high three 3-pointers while scoring 17 points in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

During the 2022–23 season, he averaged 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 55 appearances. In 25 games for Toronto in 2023–24, he averaged 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. On December 30, 2023, he was traded to the New York Knicks with OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn. He played 49 games for the Knicks that season, averaging 7.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.

He re-signed with New York on July 30, 2024, for one year and $6 million, but missed the start of the season due to a strained left hamstring. In 2024–25, he averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 57 games. On September 25, 2025, he signed with the Miami Heat again but was waived on October 18. He signed with the Sacramento Kings on November 4, 2025.

On February 26, 2026, he recorded a career-high 29 points along with 12 rebounds in a 130–121 win over the Dallas Mavericks. On April 1, he posted 28 points and 19 rebounds in a 123–115 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He averaged a career-high 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 73 games for the Kings in 2025–26, and re-signed with Sacramento on a two-year, $11 million contract on July 7, 2026.

Did You Know?

• Achiuwa's older brother, God'sgift Achiuwa, played college basketball for St. John's from 2011 to 2014.
• His mother, Eunice, and father, Donatus, are both Pentecostal ministers.
• He has two other brothers named God'swill and Promise, and two sisters named Grace and Peace.