# Chima Moneke
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chima_Moneke
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chima_Moneke.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chima_Moneke
> Source revision: 1348499724
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{short description|Nigerian basketball player (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Chima Moneke
| image = Chima Moneke 95 Saski Baskonia Euroleague 20250326 (6).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Moneke with [Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia) in 2025
| position = [Power forward](/source/Power_forward)
| height_cm = 196
| weight_kg = 99
| league = [KLS](/source/Basketball_League_of_Serbia)
[ABA League](/source/ABA_League)
[EuroLeague](/source/EuroLeague)
| team = Crvena zvezda
| number = 95
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1995|12|24}}
| birth_place = [Abuja](/source/Abuja), Nigeria
| high_school = [UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra](/source/UC_Senior_Secondary_College_Lake_Ginninderra)
([Canberra](/source/Canberra), Australia)
| college =
*[Northeast CC](/source/Northeast_Community_College) (2013–2015)
*[UC Davis](/source/UC_Davis_Aggies_men's_basketball) (2016–2018)
| draft_year = 2018
| career_start = 2018
| career_end =
| years1 = 2018
| team1 = [Rouen Métropole](/source/Rouen_M%C3%A9tropole_Basket)
| years2 = 2018–2019
| team2 = [Denain Voltaire](/source/Denain_Voltaire_Basket)
| years3 = 2019–2020
| team3 = [Béliers de Kemper](/source/B%C3%A9liers_de_Kemper)
| years4 = 2020–2021
| team4 = [Orléans Loiret](/source/Orl%C3%A9ans_Loiret_Basket)
| years5 = 2021–2022
| team5 = [Manresa](/source/B%C3%A0squet_Manresa)
| years6 = {{nbay|2022|full=y}}
| team6 = [Sacramento Kings](/source/Sacramento_Kings)
| years7 = [2022–2023](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_NBA_G_League_season)
| team7 = →[Stockton Kings](/source/Stockton_Kings)
| years8 = 2023
| team8 = [AS Monaco](/source/AS_Monaco_Basket)
| years9 = 2023–2025
| team9 = [Saski Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia)
| years10 = 2025–present
| team10 = [Crvena zvezda](/source/KK_Crvena_zvezda)
| highlights =
* [FIBA Champions League MVP](/source/Basketball_Champions_League_MVP) ([2022](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Basketball_Champions_League))
* [All-FIBA Champions League First Team](/source/Basketball_Champions_League_Star_Lineup) ([2022](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Basketball_Champions_League))
* [LNB Pro A](/source/LNB_Pro_A) champion ([2023](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Pro_A_season))
* [French Cup](/source/French_Basketball_Cup) winner (2023)
* [All-Liga ACB First Team](/source/All-ACB_Team) ([2022](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_ACB_season))
* [All-Liga ACB Second Team](/source/All-ACB_Team) ([2024](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_ACB_season))
* First-team All-[Big West](/source/Big_West) (2017)
}}
'''Nwachukwu Iheukwumere Chima Moneke'''{{Audio|LL-Q33578_(ibo)-Goodymeraj-Nwachukwu_Iheukwumere_Chima_Moneke.wav|Listen|help=no}} (born 24 December 1995) is a Nigerian professional [basketball](/source/basketball) player for [Crvena zvezda](/source/KK_Crvena_zvezda) of the [Basketball League of Serbia](/source/Basketball_League_of_Serbia) (KLS), the [ABA League](/source/ABA_League) and the [EuroLeague](/source/EuroLeague). At 6" 6 tall, he plays at the [power forward](/source/power_forward) position. He also represents the [Nigerian national team](/source/Nigeria_men's_national_basketball_team) in international competition.
== Early life ==
Moneke was born in [Abuja](/source/Abuja), Nigeria, before moving to Canberra, Australia to begin schooling. His parents, Sydney and Eucharia Moneke, were diplomats of the Nigerian embassy. He attended Farrer Primary School and [Lake Ginninderra College](/source/Lake_Ginninderra_College) before traveling again throughout the world.[{{cite web|title=Chima Moneke: la locomotora de Abuya|url=https://www.acb.com/articulo/ver/319120-chima-moneke-la-locomotora-de-abuya.html|website=acb.com|access-date=24 June 2025|date=10 February 2022|lang=es}}][{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Dutton|title=Chima Moneke ready to make NBA world take notice at Sacramento Kings
|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7934435/the-world-doesnt-know-me-canberras-newest-nba-star/|website=canberratimes.com.au|access-date=24 June 2025|date=8 October 2022|lang=en}}]
== College career ==
In 2013, Moneke enrolled at [Northeast Community College](/source/Northeast_Community_College) in [Norfolk, Nebraska](/source/Norfolk%2C_Nebraska), where he stayed for two seasons (2013–15). In his sophomore season he averaged 17 ppg and 12.1 rpg which led the team to a 25–7 record.[{{cite web|title=FORMER NORTHEAST MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDOUT CHIMA MONEKE BECOMES A KING|url=https://northeasthawks.com/general/2021-22/releases/20220727otwuit|website=northeasthawks.com|access-date=24 June 2025|date=27 July 2022|lang=en}}]
He then transferred to the [University of California at Davis](/source/University_of_California_at_Davis). After his [redshirt](/source/Redshirt_(college_sports)) season, he led the [Aggies](/source/UC_Davis_Aggies_men's_basketball) to an [NCAA tournament](/source/2017_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_tournament) berth for the first time in school history in the 2016–17 season. He was named [Big West Conference](/source/Big_West_Conference) tournament MVP. In the tournament they defeated [North Carolina Central](/source/North_Carolina_Central_Eagles_men's_basketball) in the play-in game in which Moneke had 18 points and 12 rebounds. They would go on to lose to the #1 overall seed [Kansas](/source/Kansas_Jayhawks_men's_basketball), where Moneke finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds. He averaged 14.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game with 14 double-doubles.[{{cite web|first=Savannah|last=Haynes|title=Get to Know Chima Moneke|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/get-to-know-chima-moneke|website=nba.com|access-date=24 June 2025|date=6 October 2022|lang=en}}]
In the 2017–18 season, he averaged 18.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per performance in 21 games with the Aggies.[{{Cite web |date=2022-07-18 |title=De la Pro B à la NBA, Chima Moneke retrace son incroyable ascension : "Le voyage a été compliqué mais la destination finale est encore plus savoureuse" |url=https://www.bebasket.fr/de-la-pro-b-a-la-nba-chima-moneke-retrace-son-incroyable-ascension/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=BeBasket |language=fr-FR}}]
=== Denain Voltaire (2018–2019) ===
In November 2018, he would leave Rouen Métropole to sign for [Denain Voltaire](/source/Denain_Voltaire_Basket), also from the French [LNB Pro B](/source/LNB_Pro_B). He averaged 14.3 [points](/source/point_(basketball)), 6.6 [rebounds](/source/rebound_(basketball)) and 1.7 [assists](/source/assist_(basketball)) in 27 games.
=== Béliers de Kemper (2019–2020) ===
In the 2019–20 season, he signed for the [Béliers de Kemper](/source/B%C3%A9liers_de_Kemper) of the French LNB Pro B, in which he averaged 15.8 points, 6.75 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The season was cancelled early due to the [COVID-19 pandemic in France](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_France).
=== Orléans Loiret (2020–2021) ===
In the 2020–21 season, he signed for the [Orléans Loiret](/source/Orl%C3%A9ans_Loiret_Basket) of the [LNB Pro A](/source/LNB_Pro_A), with averages of 12.5 points, 6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and almost a block per performance in the 21 games played.[{{cite news |url=https://www.larep.fr/orleans-45000/sports/chima-moneke-l-ailier-de-l-olb-est-entre-dans-l-histoire-du-basket-cette-nuit_13982638/ |title= Chima Moneke, l'ailier de l'OLB, est entré dans l'histoire du basket cette nuit |accessdate=13 July 2021|date= 11 July 2021 |website=larep.fr |language=fr}}]
=== Manresa (2021–2022) ===
On 13 July 2021, Moneke signed a one-year deal with the [Bàsquet Manresa](/source/B%C3%A0squet_Manresa) of the Spanish [Liga Endesa](/source/Liga_Endesa) and the [Basketball Champions League](/source/Basketball_Champions_League) (BCL).[{{cite news |last=Skerletic |first=Dario |date=12 July 2021 |title=Chima Moneke reportedly in advanced talks to join BAXI Manresa |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/chima-moneke-reportedly-in-advanced-talks-to-join-baxi-manresa/ |accessdate=13 July 2021 |website=sportando.basketball}}] He helped Manresa to a surprising season in the BCL as they reached the [final](/source/2022_Basketball_Champions_League_Final_Four) where they lost to [Tenerife](/source/CB_Canarias) in the final. Moneke was named the [MVP](/source/Basketball_Champions_League_MVP) of the 2021–22 season after averaging 13.1 points per game.[{{Cite web |date=2022-05-07 |title=Moneke named MVP of the Season |url=https://www.championsleague.basketball/21-22/news/moneke-named-mvp-of-the-season |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=FIBA.basketball |language=en}}]
In the Spanish ACB, Moneke was named to the ALL-ACB 1st team after leading Manresa to the playoffs. He averaged 14.8 points per game on 53% shooting. He was second in the entire league in rebounding with 8.4 per game. He led the entire league in total steals (56), steals per game (1.6) and defensive rebounds.[[File:Semifinals 42a Lliga Catalana AON 2021 AON (Foto M.A. Chazo) (51429184386).jpg|thumb|right|Moneke with [Manresa](/source/B%C3%A0squet_Manresa) in 2021]]
=== Sacramento Kings (2022–2023) ===
On 18 July 2022, Moneke signed with the [Sacramento Kings](/source/Sacramento_Kings), uniting with Nigeria's national team coach [Mike Brown](/source/Mike_Brown_(basketball%2C_born_1970)).[{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Rory |date=18 July 2022 |title=Kings Sign Chima Moneke, Won't Bring Over Sasha Vezenkov |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/07/kings-to-sign-chima-moneke-wont-bring-over-sasha-vezenkov.html |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Hoops Rumors |language=en-US}}] On 6 January 2023, Moneke was waived by the Kings.[{{Cite web |date=6 January 2023 |title=Kings Waive Chima Moneke |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-waive-chima-moneke |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}]
=== AS Monaco (2023) ===
On January 16, 2023, Moneke signed with [AS Monaco](/source/AS_Monaco_Basket) of the [LNB Élite](/source/LNB_%C3%89lite) and the [EuroLeague](/source/EuroLeague).[{{Cite web |last=Maggi |first=Alessandro |date=16 January 2023 |title=AS Monaco signs Chima Moneke |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/as-monaco-signs-chima-moneke/ |access-date=16 January 2023 |website= |publisher=Sportando}}]
=== Saski Baskonia (2023–2025) ===
On July 19, 2023, Moneke signed with [Saski Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia) of the Spanish [Liga ACB](/source/Liga_ACB) and the [EuroLeague](/source/EuroLeague).[{{Cite web |title=Chima Moneke officially joins Baskonia |url=https://basketnews.com/news-192291-chima-moneke-officially-joins-baskonia.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=basketnews.com |language=en}}] On November 17, 2023, Moneke recorded a [double-double](/source/double-double) with 19 points and 13 [rebounds](/source/Rebound_(basketball)) in an 88-81 win against [LDLC ASVEL](/source/ASVEL_Basket).[{{Cite web |title=LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 2023-11-17 19:00 {{!}} EuroLeague |url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/78/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Euroleague Basketball |language=en-GB}}]
=== Crvena zvezda (2025–present) ===
On June 24, 2025, Moneke signed with [Crvena zvezda](/source/KK_Crvena_zvezda) of the [Basketball League of Serbia](/source/Basketball_League_of_Serbia) (KLS), [ABA League](/source/ABA_League) and the [EuroLeague](/source/EuroLeague).[{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2025 |title=Crvena zvezda Sign Chima Moneke |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSaGi7oCfX/?igsh=MTU0MTVjYmJqeWdraQ==}}]
== National team career ==
He debuted with the [Nigeria men's national basketball team](/source/Nigeria_men's_national_basketball_team) in 2020, playing three qualifying matches for the [Afrobasket](/source/Afrobasket). In 2021, he was summoned for the pre-selection to compete in the [2020 Summer Olympics](/source/2020_Summer_Olympics).{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
==Career statistics==
{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}
===NBA===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [Sacramento](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Sacramento_Kings_season)
| 2 || 0 || 4.0 || .500 || {{sort|-|—}} || .000 || 1.0 || .5 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 2 || 0 || 4.0 || .500 || {{sort|-|—}} || .000 || 1.0 || .5 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.0
{{S-end}}
===EuroLeague===
{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_EuroLeague)
| style="text-align:left;"| [Monaco](/source/AS_Monaco_Basket)
| 16 || 1 || 12.6 || .476 || .000 || '''.885''' || 3.1 || .5 || .3 || .2 || 3.9 || 4.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_EuroLeague)
| style="text-align:left;"| [Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia)
| '''34''' || 7 || 24.7 || '''.531''' || '''.353''' || .764 || '''6.6''' || 1.4 || '''1.1''' || '''.5''' || 13.6 || 18.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_EuroLeague)
| style="text-align:left;"| [Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia)
| 33 || '''29''' || '''28.2''' || .495 || .295 || .813 || 6.1 || '''2.3''' || .9 || .3 || '''14.0''' || '''18.6'''
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 83 || 37 || 24.8 || .511 || .316 || .792 || 5.7 || 1.6 || .9 || .4 || 11.9 || 15.8
{{S-end}}
===Basketball Champions League===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Basketball_Champions_League)
| style="text-align:left;"| [Manresa](/source/B%C3%A0squet_Manresa)
| 15 || 8 || 22.2 || .588 || .350 || .713 || 6.3 || 1.1 || 1.2 || .5 || 13.9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 15 || 8 || 22.2 || .588 || .350 || .713 || 6.3 || 1.1 || 1.2 || .5 || 13.9
{{S-end}}
===Domestic leagues===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! Year
! Team
! League
! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}
! {{Tooltip|MPG|Minutes per game}}
! {{Tooltip|FG%|Field goal percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|3P%|3-point field-goal percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|FT%|Free throw percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}
! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}
! {{Tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}}
! {{Tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}}
! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2018–19](/source/LNB_Pro_B) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} [Rouen Métropole](/source/Rouen_M%C3%A9tropole_Basket) || style="text-align:center;"|[Pro B](/source/LNB_Pro_B) || 3 || 16.0 || .286 || 1.000 || .667 || 3.3 || .7 || 1.7 || .3 || 4.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2018–19](/source/LNB_Pro_B) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} [Denain Voltaire](/source/Denain_Voltaire_Basket) || style="text-align:center;"|[Pro B](/source/LNB_Pro_B) || 27 || 27.2 || .556 || .417 || .803 || 6.6 || 1.7 || 1.2 || .5 || 14.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2019–20](/source/LNB_Pro_B) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} [UJAP Quimper](/source/B%C3%A9liers_de_Kemper) || style="text-align:center;"|[Pro B](/source/LNB_Pro_B) || 24 || 27.6 || .563 || .383 || .726 || 6.7 || 1.7 || 1.2 || .8 || 15.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Pro_A_season) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} [Orléans Loiret](/source/Orl%C3%A9ans_Loiret_Basket) || style="text-align:center;"|[LNB Élite](/source/LNB_%C3%89lite) || 31 || 23.4 || .628 || .333 || .781 || 6.4 || 1.5 || 1.0 || .4 || 13.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_ACB_season) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [Manresa](/source/B%C3%A0squet_Manresa) || style="text-align:center;"|[ACB](/source/Liga_ACB) || 36 || 24.1 || .521 || .290 || .735 || 8.2 || 1.5 || 1.6 || .5 || 14.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_NBA_G_League_season) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA|size=20px}} [Stockton Kings](/source/Stockton_Kings) || style="text-align:center;"|[G League](/source/G_League) || 2 || 28.2 || .375 || .000 || .500 || 7.0 || 1.5 || .5 || {{sort|-|—}} || 7.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Pro_A_season) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} [Monaco](/source/AS_Monaco_Basket) || style="text-align:center;"|[LNB Élite](/source/LNB_%C3%89lite) || 11 || 18.1 || .720 || .500 || .838 || 4.0 || 1.1 || 1.1 || .4 || 9.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_ACB_season) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia) || style="text-align:center;"|[ACB](/source/Liga_ACB) || 28 || 24.6 || .542 || .415 || .777 || 6.6 || 1.6 || .9 || .4 || 15.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_ACB_season) || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [Baskonia](/source/Saski_Baskonia) || style="text-align:center;"|[ACB](/source/Liga_ACB) || 31 || 25.1 || .481 || .365 || .791 || 5.0 || 2.4 || .7 || .4 || 12.7
{{S-end}}
===College===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_season)
| style="text-align:left;"| [UC Davis](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_UC_Davis_Aggies_men's_basketball_team)
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"| 15px|Redshirt Redshirt
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_season)
| style="text-align:left;"| [UC Davis](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_UC_Davis_Aggies_men's_basketball_team)
| '''36''' || '''33''' || 27.3 || '''.527''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .645 || 9.5 || .8 || .9 || '''1.4''' || 14.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_season)
| style="text-align:left;"| [UC Davis](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_UC_Davis_Aggies_men's_basketball_team)
| 21 || 21 || '''30.0''' || .515 || '''.375''' || '''.714''' || '''9.6''' || '''1.0''' || '''1.0''' || 1.1 || '''18.4'''
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 57 || 54 || 28.3 || .522 || .375 || .674 || 9.5 || .9 || .9 || 1.3 || 16.0
{{S-end}}
== Personal life ==
Moneke attended Canberra High School and [Lake Ginninderra College](/source/Lake_Ginninderra_College) in Canberra, Australia where he played high school basketball with [Danté Exum](/source/Dant%C3%A9_Exum).