5 Richest Female Nigerian Basketballers

Nigerian female basketballers are not just making their mark on the basketball court, but they have also amassed staggering wealth along the way.

These exceptional female athletes have defied the odds and shattered stereotypes in a sport traditionally dominated by male players. 

This article will delve into the stories of some of the richest female Nigerian basketballers, unveiling their inspiring journeys and the remarkable financial success they have achieved through their unwavering passion for the game. Let’s dive in.

  
Ezinne Kalu

Ezinne Kalu represented D’Tigress Africa’s highest-ranked side and won three straight championships for them, at the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Afrobasket events. Kalu started playing basketball in her high school days at Science Park High School. She became the first woman in the school’s history to score over 2,000 points.

Kalu has spent two seasons in the Portuguese Championship, playing with the Hungarian club, the German club Keltern and the French side Landerneau BB. Her networth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Erica Ogwumike

Erica Ogwumike is another rich female Nigerian basketballer who plays for the Nigerian Public Group and alliance games for ‘Rice Owls’. Erica generates significant wealth from her games as she makes around $125,000 each year. 

She is the youngest of four sisters and her three eldest sisters are also more established basketballers. They include Nneka and Chiney of the Los Angeles Flashes, and Olivia who plays for  Rice College Owls.

Aisha Mohammed

Aisha Mohammed is another rich female basketballer with a net worth estimated to be around $1 million to $7 million. As a Nigerian basketball player, Aisha Mohammed played for Bursas BSB and the National team.

The basketballer played at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2006 and Spain in 2019; she helped them qualify for the Quarter-Finals. She also helped the Nigeria women’s national basketball team to the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Evelyn Akhator

Evelyn Akhator made her first appearance for the Nigerian national basketball team during the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket tournament in Mali. Evelyn was drafted by the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft.

She has built her $5 million net worth from playing with the Russian side WBC Dynamo Novosibirsk, Turkish Besiktas, Spanish side CB Avenida and French Flammes Carolo.

Onome Akinbode-James

Another rich female basketballer on our list is Onome Akinbode-James who gave a TED Talk titled “Africa, Country or Continent: The Broken Perception” during her senior year at Blair Academy. Speaking about what inspired the Tedx Talk, Onome recounted her encounter with her friend’s mother.

She revealed that the friend’s mother asked how far of Akinbode-James had to walk from her “village” to school. Akinbode-James said, “I was so thrown aback by it because here I am at dinner, thinking we’re just having a good time, and she just pulls that out.” 

“As much as it is shocking and I’ve gone along and had these experiences, I’ve just realized instead of getting mad about it or angry about it, it’s easier to just try to educate people on it. The more people know the better.”

Onome who played at the FIBA U16 Women’s African Championship was recruited to Blair Academy,  Blairstown, New Jersey. With a networth of $5 million, Onome plays college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.