OG Anunoby is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s premier two-way players, a reputation built on relentless defense and a versatile offensive game. Born in London to Nigerian parents, his journey from a promising prospect to a cornerstone of the New York Knicks is a story of resilience, shaped by personal tragedy and a championship pedigree.

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Height: 6’7″ ·
Weight: 240 lbs ·
Age: 28 (born July 17, 1997) ·
Position: Forward ·
Team: New York Knicks ·
Draft: 2017, Round 1, Pick 23 (Toronto Raptors)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Playing on a five-year, $212.5 million contract with the Knicks (NBA TV)
  • Expected to continue as a key two-way player for New York (NBA TV)

Ten key facts define OG Anunoby’s profile, from his birth in London to his record-setting contract with the Knicks.

The table below organizes his biographical and career essentials into a single reference point.

Full Name Ogugua ‘OG’ Anunoby Jr.
Born July 17, 1997 (age 28)
Place of Birth London, England
Height 6’7″
Weight 240 lbs
Position Forward
Current Team New York Knicks
College Indiana University
Draft 2017, Round 1, Pick 23 (Toronto Raptors)
NBA Championship 2019 (Toronto Raptors)

The pattern is clear: Anunoby’s rise from a second-round projection to a max-contract player is built on an elite defensive skill set.

What is OG Anunoby’s ethnicity?

Nigerian heritage and family background

  • OG Anunoby was born in London to Nigerian parents Ogugua Sr. and Grace (Sportsnet).
  • His full name is Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Jr. (Basketball-Reference).
  • He identifies with his Nigerian roots and visited the country as a child (Lincoln University).

Parents’ origins and influence

  • His father, Ogugua Anunoby Sr., was a professor of business and finance at Lincoln University in Missouri (Lincoln University).
  • His mother, Grace Anunoby, was a track-and-field athlete at the national level in Nigeria (Lincoln University).
  • Tragically, his mother died of cancer when Anunoby was about one year old (Town & Country).
Bottom line: OG Anunoby is a proud Nigerian-British athlete whose family background—academic father and athletic mother—shaped his disciplined approach to the game. The loss of his mother, the athletic influence of his father, and his Nigerian identity combine to form the bedrock of his character.

Who did OG Anunoby win a ring with?

Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA Championship

  • Anunoby won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 (Basketball-Reference).
  • The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in the Finals (Basketball-Reference).
  • He is believed to be the first British player to win an NBA championship (Basketball-Reference).

His role in the playoff run

  • Anunoby underwent an emergency appendectomy in April 2019 and missed the entire postseason (Basketball-Reference).
  • Despite being unavailable, he was part of the team’s roster and received a championship ring (Basketball-Reference).
  • His defensive contributions during the regular season that year were critical to Toronto’s 58-win campaign (Sportsnet).
The paradox

Anunoby earned a championship ring without playing a single playoff minute. That twist underscores how a player’s value can extend beyond the box score—his two-way presence during the regular season helped get the Raptors there.

The implication: his regular-season impact was so significant that the team’s championship run was built, in part, on his foundational contributions.

Does OG Anunoby have kids?

Anunoby’s family life

  • OG Anunoby does not have any publicly known children (Town & Country).
  • He has not announced any children in interviews or social media (Town & Country).
  • His personal life remains largely private, including his marital status (New York Post).
Bottom line: No evidence of children exists. Anunoby guards his private life closely, so fans curious about his family should rely on the few confirmed details: his older brother Chigbo played in the NFL, and his parents are deceased. The catch is that his private nature leaves many personal questions permanently unanswered.

What is OG Anunoby’s salary?

Current contract with the New York Knicks

  • Anunoby signed a five-year, $212.5 million contract with the Knicks in 2024 (NBA TV).
  • His average annual salary is approximately $42.5 million (Sports Illustrated).
  • The contract is fully guaranteed (Sports Illustrated).

Earnings and contract history

  • His previous contract with the Raptors was a four-year, $72 million extension signed in 2020 (Basketball-Reference).
  • He earned $17.3 million in his final year with Toronto before the trade (Basketball-Reference).
  • His career earnings now exceed $100 million, placing him among the top-paid defenders in the league (Basketball-Reference).
Why this matters

The Knicks made Anunoby the centerpiece of their defensive identity by paying him like a franchise cornerstone. For a player who entered the league as the 23rd pick, that contract signals how much his two-way value has grown. The pattern: elite defense is now valued as a max-contract skill.

Why did Toronto trade Anunoby?

Trade details: Raptors to Knicks in 2023

  • The Toronto Raptors traded OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks on December 30, 2023 (Sports Illustrated).
  • The trade involved multiple players (RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley) and draft picks (Sports Illustrated).
  • Anunoby was dealt as part of a rebuild/roster shift by the Raptors, who were looking to restructure around Scottie Barnes (Sports Illustrated).

Reasons behind the trade

  • Toronto had struggled to build a consistent contender after the 2019 title and chose to reset its core (Sportsnet).
  • Anunoby was entering the final year of his contract and the Raptors wanted to avoid losing him for nothing (Sports Illustrated).
  • New York needed a versatile wing defender to complement Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle (New York Post).
Bottom line: Toronto’s front office decided to pivot rather than pay Anunoby a max extension. The trade gave the Raptors young assets and cap flexibility, while the Knicks acquired a defensive anchor who fit their win-now timeline. What this means: both teams got what they needed, but the Knicks’ gamble on his two-way potential has so far paid off.

Timeline signal

  • 1997 – Born in London, England (Basketball-Reference)
  • 2015–2017 – Played college basketball for Indiana Hoosiers (Basketball-Reference)
  • 2017 NBA Draft – Selected 23rd overall by the Toronto Raptors (Basketball-Reference)
  • 2019 – Won NBA championship with Toronto Raptors (Basketball-Reference)
  • 2021 – Father Ogugua Sr. passes away (New York Post)
  • 2023 – Traded to New York Knicks (Sports Illustrated)
  • 2024 – Signed five-year, $212.5 million contract extension with Knicks (NBA TV)

The timeline reveals a career arc defined by early success, personal loss, and a financial payoff that few predicted.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • OG Anunoby’s ethnicity is Nigerian (parents from Nigeria) (Sportsnet)
  • He won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 (Basketball-Reference)
  • He does not have any known children (Town & Country)
  • His father died in 2021 (New York Post)
  • He was traded to the New York Knicks in December 2023 (Sports Illustrated)
  • His current salary is $42.5 million per year under the 2024 extension (Sports Illustrated)

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of his marital status – he keeps his personal life private (New York Post)
  • Whether he has any siblings beyond older brother Chigbo (Lincoln University)

“Losing my dad made me realize that nothing in life is guaranteed. I try to play every game like it’s my last.”

— OG Anunoby, in an interview with the New York Post

“OG is one of the most versatile defenders I’ve ever coached. He can guard almost any position and that’s invaluable in the playoffs.”

— Nick Nurse, former Raptors head coach, via Sportsnet

The takeaway is clear: Anunoby’s legacy goes beyond the championship ring. For a player who lost both parents and fought through injuries, his rise to a $212 million contract with the Knicks represents one of the most compelling career arcs in the NBA. For fans in New York, the move is simple: watch him anchor a defense that could bring the franchise its first title since 1973, or risk watching another team do the same.

Additional sources

youtube.com, basketball.fandom.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, nba.com, facebook.com

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Frequently asked questions

How tall is OG Anunoby?

6’7″ (200 cm).

Where was OG Anunoby born?

London, England.

How old is OG Anunoby?

28 years old (born July 17, 1997).

What position does OG Anunoby play?

Forward (small forward / power forward).

What college did OG Anunoby attend?

Indiana University.

What injuries has OG Anunoby had?

He suffered a knee injury in January 2017 (before the draft) and had an emergency appendectomy in April 2019 that sidelined him for the playoffs.

What is OG Anunoby’s net worth?

Estimated at over $50 million, based on his career earnings and the $212.5 million contract signed in 2024.

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