Meet Ezinne Kalu, a trailblazing basketball sensation, born on June 26, 1992, in the United States, who has made a profound impact on the global stage, representing Nigeria with distinction and pride. As a dynamic point guard for Landerneau, Kalu has showcased her exceptional skill and leadership, propelling her to international stardom. With a storied career marked by unprecedented success, she has led the revered D’Tigress, Africa’s highest-ranked team, to three consecutive Afrobasket championships in 2017, 2019, and 2021, cementing her status as a basketball icon and inspiration to countless young athletes across the continent.
Wiki
Full Name: Ezinne Kalu
Date of Birth: June 26, 1992
Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, US
Origin: Igbo Tribe, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian, American
Profession: Professional Basketball Player, Entrepreneur
Current Team: Landerneau
Position: Point Guard
Net Worth: $1 Million
Early Life & Career
Kalu was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Gwendolyn Covington and Joseph Kalu. Her mother, Gwendolyn, hails from Greenville, South Carolina, while her father, Joseph, is Nigerian. Growing up in a culturally diverse household, Kalu developed a deep connection to her Nigerian heritage. She frequently visited Nigeria, which fostered a strong sense of belonging and cultural identity.
Kalu attended Science Park High School in Newark, where she made history as the first woman to score over 2,000 points in the school’s basketball program. Her outstanding high school career led to her jersey being retired in December 2017. After graduating in 2010, Kalu received a full scholarship to Savannah State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Savannah, Georgia. At Savannah State, she continued to excel, becoming the first player in the school’s history to score over 2,000 career points. In 2015, she led her team to their first MEAC Championship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in African Studies.
After graduating from Savannah State, Kalu embarked on her professional basketball career. She spent two seasons in the Portuguese Championship, where she made a significant impact. In 2015, she signed with Clube Desportivo Torres Novas, where she averaged 22.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Her impressive performance in Portugal led to a contract with Olivais Coimbra, where she continued to shine, averaging 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
In 2017, Kalu took her talents to Hungary, signing with Vasas Akademia. During her season with Vasas, she averaged 17.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, showcasing her versatility and skill. Her European journey continued in November 2018 when she signed with the German club Keltern. Kalu played a pivotal role in helping Keltern reach the final of the German Championship, averaging 13.6 points and 2.5 assists per game.
Kalu’s decision to represent Nigeria at the international level is one she regards as her best move yet. Despite being born and raised in the United States, her heart was set on honoring her African roots. Growing up, Kalu often visited her family in Nigeria, experiences that deepened her connection to the country.
She joined the Nigerian junior national team seven years ago, which paved the way for her transition to the senior team, D’Tigress. Kalu’s international career took off when she joined the senior team and immediately made her mark. She played a crucial role in Nigeria’s triumph at the 2017 Women’s AfroBasket, where she averaged 12 points and 3 assists per game.
Kalu’s impresive performances continued at the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain. She averaged 10.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, helping Nigeria achieve notable success on the global stage. Her dedication and skill were further highlighted during the 2019 Women’s AfroBasket, where she was named the tournament’s MVP after averaging 14 points and 3 assists per game.
Ezinne Kalu has continued to excel in her basketball career, joining the French side Landerneau BB in 2019 and impressing with averages of 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the 2019-2020 season. Her numerous accolades include being named the 2021 AfroBasket tournament champion, 2020 Guard of the Year in France’s 1st Division, and earning spots on the 2020 1st Team All-Imports France League and 2020 1st Team All-French Player. Kalu also qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, was named an All-Star top 5 at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Serbia, and was voted one of the Top 12 Best Players of Africa in 2020.
Additionally, she was the first woman to be sponsored by AFA Sports in 2019 and has won multiple AfroBasket tournament championships, including in 2019, where she was also named MVP and Top 5 player. Kalu has also served as Co-Captain of the Nigeria women’s national basketball team and Captain of the Nigerian women’s national team, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in Budapest’s 1st Division in 2017 and Guard of the Year in Portugal’s 1st Division in 2016.l
In 2020, Kalu participated in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament, where she once again demonstrated her prowess. She averaged 16 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, earning a spot on the All-Star Five of the tournament held in Serbia.
Kalu’s international career reached new heights at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in July 2021. She was a key player for the Nigerian team, leading them with 16 points in a narrow loss to Team USA. In September 2021, she continued her stellar performance at the AfroBasket tournament, where she helped Nigeria secure another championship. Kalu averaged 12.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, earning a spot on the All-Star team of the tournament.
One notable aspect of her off-court life is her organization, Team Heat, which empowers young girls who aspire to play basketball. Through this initiative, Kalu aims to provide mentorship, resources, and opportunities for the next generation of female basketball players.
Kalu is also an entrepreneur. She founded Kalu Kosmetics, a beauty brand that reflects her style and versatility. The brand was created for women who are often told they cannot be both athletes and glamorous. Kalu’s passion for fashion and modeling, which began in middle school, is evident in her brand. She has participated in numerous fashion shows, hair shows, and art shows, using her creativity to inspire and empower women.
Awards
Ezinne Kalu’s outstanding contributions to basketball have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors. She was named the 2019 Women’s Afrobasket Most Valuable Player (MVP), a testament to her exceptional skill and leadership on the court. Kalu has also received the 2020 Nigerian Sports Award for Basketball Player of the Year, was selected for the 2018 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket All-Star Team, and was crowned the 2017 Nigerian Women’s Basketball League MVP. Furthermore, she was awarded the 2016 West African University Games (WAUG) Basketball MVP and the 2015 Nigerian National Sports Festival (NSF) Basketball MVP. As Captain of the Nigerian women’s national team, he earned the Defensive Player of the Year honors in Budapest’s 1st Division in 2017 and Guard of the Year in Portugal’s 1st Division in 2016.
Personal Life
Despite her high-profile career, Kalu keeps her personal life relatively private. She prefers to focus on her professional achievements and community initiatives.
Social Media
Kalu has effectively leveraged social media to connect with her fans and share her journey. She has amassed over 51,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares insights into her professional life, personal interests, and advocacy work. Her Instagram handle, [@_nigerianqueen] is a platform where she engages with her audience, promotes women’s basketball, and highlights her entrepreneurial ventures.
Net Worth
Kalu’s successful basketball career and entrepreneurial ventures have contributed to her financial success. She is estimated to have a net worth of $1 million.
