When Julian Duncan joined the Rockets as chief advertising and technique officer in July 2021, the native Houstonian had a imaginative and prescient of celebrating Nigeria and its communities throughout a regular-season sport. The Houston metropolitan space is dwelling to 1 of the largest Nigerian immigrants communities in america.

Two years of planning turned out to be nicely well worth the look ahead to Duncan and his employees. Final Friday, the Rockets paid tribute to the Nigerian inhabitants in Houston and surrounding areas by internet hosting the group’s inaugural Nigerian Heritage Evening at Toyota Middle.

It was the primary such tribute organized by an NBA group. It was a large success for followers in attendance and people people who joined a postgame Q&A session with icons akin to Corridor of Fame heart Hakeem Olajuwon; Rockets head coach Ime Udoka; WNBA All-Star and ESPN character Chiney Ogwumike; and award-winning recording artist Tobe Nwigwe. All are of Nigerian descent.

“Being in Houston, it’s the metropolis of innovation, however it is usually a metropolis with wealthy cultural heritage,” Duncan informed Rockets Wire.

“We have a good time tons of various heritages right here, however the one we had not touched bases with was the Nigerian heritage,” Duncan defined.

“It made probably the most sense when one, you may have Hakeem Olajuwon in your metropolis, and two, Houston is dwelling to the most important inhabitants of Nigerians, larger than another metropolis within the nation. It simply made sense. So, two years within the making, we now have an attractive celebration of Nigerian tradition and heritage right here in Houston.”

The Houston Rockets held the primary ever Nigeria Heritage Evening within the NBA and Houston native, Chiney Ogwumike took the primary shot. The WNBA All-Star and ESPN character had good kind as she hit the shot in entrance of the house crowd. #Rockets #Sarge @chiney @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/KsZRXmLJ4u

— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 23, 2023

Ogwumike, who grew up within the Houston space and have become a nationwide participant of the 12 months at Cy-Truthful Excessive Faculty, was honored with the group’s ceremonial pregame “First Shot.” Naturally, she made it, incomes $5,000 for charity from Rockets proprietor Tilman Fertitta.

In subsequent feedback, she mentioned it meant loads for her to take part in an occasion that celebrates her tradition and represents her household.

“It meant the world to me,” Ogwumike informed reporters after being formally honored by the group as a hometown hero. “I’m able to have a good time my tradition right here, the African diaspora, and the sports activities world, and the way it has introduced us all collectively.”