Nigerian-born basketballer wins Dunk of the Year at NBA Awards

Steve Dede 10:02 - 27 June 2017

Victor Oladipo won the fans-voted Dunk of the Year award for his dunk on the (then) Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard.

Nigerian-born

Oladipo is born to a Nigerian nurse Joan Amanze Oladipo and a sierra Leonean father Christopher Oladipo.

The OKC guard won the fans-voted Dunk of the Year award for his dunk on the (then) Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard.

Oladipo was in attendance at the NBA Awards that was hosted by superstar rapper Drake.

Oladipo’s OKC teammate Russell Westbrook was announced the winner of the Most Valuable Player of the 2016/2017 campaign.

The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard was only the second player and first in 55 years to average a triple-double for an entire season.

Westbrook beat Houston Rockets guard James Harden and San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard to win the award.

He called his OKC teammates up onstage when he was presented with the Maurice Podoloff Trophy by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“These guys sacrificed so much for me throughout the year, It was obviously an amazing season for me but without these guys and the rest of our guys that are not here, none of this would be possible,” Westbrook said.

“So this award is not for me. This is for all you guys and I am very thankful to have you guys in my corner. You guys are my brothers for life.”

The 28-year-old became the face of the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise following the controversial exit of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors where he won the NBA title and was also named Finals MVP.

Warriors forward Draymond Green was voted the Best Defensive Player of the year while Houston’s boss Mike D’Antoni was named Coach of the Year.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon was named Rookie of the Year, while Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon earned the Sixth Man Award for his work as a substitute.

Awards of the night

Rookie of the Year: