London Lions’ standout Miye Oni makes a triumphant leap from the British Basketball League to the NBA’s Orlando Magic, following a remarkable treble-winning season.
London Lions star Miye Oni has bid farewell to the club, embarking on an NBA journey with the Orlando Magic.
Oni, aged 26, showcased his prowess across 26 games for the Lions, debuting in November 2022. A pivotal Shooting Guard/Small Forward, he played a vital role in the Lions’ triumphant season, securing all domestic titles and contributing to their historic EuroCup playoff qualification – a feat unprecedented for a British club.
Having been drafted as the 58th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, the 26-year-old is set to rejoin the NBA after a three-season stint with the Jazz making 80 appearances. Oni’s switch to the London Lions in the British Basketball League saw him join up with former NBA players Sam Dekker and Kosta Koufos.
Across various competitions, Oni maintained impressive averages, tallying nearly 10 points alongside slightly over three assists and nearly five rebounds per game. Oni is also known for his game at the international level after representing Nigeria at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Oni’s first stint in the NBA showed a lot of promise, becoming a key player in the rotation for the Utah Jazz. In his second year in the league, Oni played in 54 of the Jazz’s 72 regular season games in the 2020-21 shortened season with the Jazz finishing top of the NBA Western Conference with a record of 52-20.
Playing next to the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Oni was able to showcase his defensive prowess by guarding the likes of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the 2021 Playoffs when the Jazz faced the LA Clippers. Most notably on his debut start for the Jazz, Oni was able to put up 14 points and snatch seven rebounds against the Gregg Popovich-led San Antonio Spurs.
On August 22nd, Oni and the Magic sealed a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract. This grants him an opportunity in the Orlando Magic training camp for the upcoming season. If he doesn’t secure a spot on the opening-day roster, the Magic will maintain Oni’s G League rights for the 2023-24 season.
Oni showed his NBA-level game consistently for the Lions, with his versatile ability on full display on both sides of the court. Becoming well-known for his incredible athleticism and motor, Oni also showed his shooting prowess behind the three-point line while also showing his unselfish tendencies to make the extra pass to find the best shot on offence. The 26-year-old has the physical ability, body, and unselfish playstyle to become a regular in the NBA.
With the countdown to the new season continuing, you can still get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from last year!
