O.G. Anunoby becomes minority owner of London Lions

Image Credit: NBA UK

London-born Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby has become a minority shareholder of the London Lions after investing in the club, it was announced on Thursday night.

The 25-year-old NBA champion joins majority owners 777 Partners, along with minority shareholders Femi Oyeniran and Nicky ‘Slimting’ Walker.

“It’s great to see everything that is going on in British basketball right now, which is why I am really excited to join the London Lions,” Anunoby said of the move.

“I just want to do my part as a role model to all the young hoopers in london and across the entire UK. I look forward to visiting the team in the off-season and can’t wait to help build with the organisation.”

Anunoby – who is currently under a 4-year, $72million contract with Toronto – now “joins the ranks of a cohort of decision makers at the club determined to guide both the club and the wider sport to new heights, attracting the best of British and international talent,” the club said in a statement.

Lenz Balan, Vice President of 777 Partners added:

“We are delighted to welcome O.G. Anunoby as a part-owner of the london lions at such an exciting time in the club’s history. having broken a number of records this year, we believe that having someone of o.g.’s calibre and experience on the ownership team will help bring the club to the next level. he is a top player that shares the same dna and passion as our team and will be instrumental in helping put british basketball on an even bigger stage in years to come.”

Anunoby lived in London until he was four, when he moved to the US to Missouri, where a standout high school career saw him end up at Indiana University where he declared for the draft after his Sophomore year, being selected by the Raptors with the 23rd pick of the first round.

There have been previous conversations between the British Basketball Federation and his representatives with regard to him suiting up for Great Britain, but it is yet to materialise. In 2021, Anunoby was named to the Nigerian national team preliminary squad, but did not end up in training camp.

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