OG Anunoby becomes London Lions part-owner / News - Basketnews.com

OG Anunoby was announced as a part-owner of the London Lions, as he joins majority owners 777 Partners.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Toronto Raptors forward Ogugua 'OG' Anunoby Jr. has become a part-owner of the London Lions.

Free throws this season

78%18,4Points made:18,4Accuracy:77,8%Place in standings:16Record max:34Record min:5Most made FTs:Pascal SiakamTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

The 25-year-old joins majority owners 777 Partners after purchasing a minority stake in the club. London-born Anunoby has played over 250 games for Toronto and became the first-ever British basketball player to win an NBA Championship with the team in 2019.The young wing has played five seasons in the NBA after being drafted in the first round in 2017, stating that a key goal of his is to 'inspire kids in Great Britain who want to play basketball and show that they can make it to the league from Britain.'

Anunoby 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.

"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 in a press release. "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 organization."

Anunoby's investment comes as basketball in the UK continues its meteoric rise in popularity.

The British Basketball League confirmed record attendances last season as over 15,000 people descended upon The O2 Arena when the Lions faced Leicester Riders in the BBL Playoff Final.

The London-based side has also reported record viewership figures for their EuroCup games this season on BT Sport, supported in no small part by a record-breaking run across both men's and women's teams.

OG Anunoby

Team:Toronto RaptorsPosition:SF, PFAge:25Height:203 cmWeight:107 kgBirth place:London, Great BritainProfileNewsStatistics

"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," said Lenz Balan, vice president of 777partners. "Having broken a number of records this year, we believe that having someone of O.G.'s caliber 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," Balan added.

Over the course of the last 18 months alone, the Lions became the first side ever to win both the BBL Cup and WBBL Cup in the same event in January, whilst the men's team has reached the EuroCup playoffs – a feat not achieved by any other UK team in history.

The women's team is also solidifying its claim as one of the most successful teams in women's sport, having achieved an unprecedented feat of 52 consecutive wins in the WBBL earlier this season and going unbeaten domestically for over 650 days.

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