Ezeli, first Nigerian in the Finals since Olajuwon

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olden State Warriors centre Festus Ezeli has become the first Nigerian-born to reach the NBA Finals since Hakeem Olajuwon inspired the Houston Rockets to back-to-back championships 1995.
The Warriors are set to face play LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals, beginning on Thursday morning of 5 June.
While Olajuwon was a master class centre, Ezeli is primarily a backup defense force, although the 25-year-old stepped up offensively when the Warriors needed him most in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals against Houston.
The Warriors closed out the series with a 104-90 triumph in Game 5 on Thursday morning, and Ezeli was crucial at both ends of the floor.

He came off the bench for Andrew Bogut, who got in foul trouble, and performed an intriguing battle in the painted area against All-Star Dwight Howard.
Ezeli finished with a playoff-career-high 12 points, 9 rebounds, one block and one assist in 28:27 of playing time.
Considering how much Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James likes to get into the paint, the Warriors are likely going to have some fouling issues, and Ezeli might be key, covering starter centre Andrew Bogut.
“When he gets limited minutes he stays ready,” Bogut said of fellow Warrior Ezeli.
Unlike the Cavaliers, none of the Warriors has ever played in the Finals, but that does not stop Ezeli from getting ready.
“That’s the strength os this team,” the Nigerian said after Game 5 against Houston. “We play as team. We haven’t done it yet. We still have four more to go. I am ready to play.
“We have worked too hard this year. Whatever you have you have got to bring it on the floor,” he explained.
Although the 2.11m Nigerian centre is to become the only African-born in the 2015 NBA Finals, he has faced some adversity over the course of his three-season career.
After missing the entire 2013-14 NBA season due to a knee injury, Ezeli missed 16 of Golden State’s games after Christmas.
After a short stint with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League, Golden State first-year coach Steve Kerr recalled Ezeli early in February, and he has remained with the team ever since.
Ezeli, forwards Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were picked in the first-round of the 2012 NBA Draft, and have become a crucial part in the Warriors success this season.