Known for his rebounding and efficiency, Jekiri adds size and toughness to the Partizan frontline
Partizan adds presence in the paint with Tonye Jekiri
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Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has reinforced its frontcourt by signing Nigerian center Tonye Jekiri for the remainder of the season. The move comes hours after the club released Tyrique Jones to sign with Olympiacos Piraeus. Jekiri (2.12 meters, 31 years old) arrives from CSKA Moscow, where he spent the past two and a half seasons and helped the club win two VTB United League championships and two VTB Supercups. This season, he averaged 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 11 games.
Jekiri returns to the EuroLeague after last playing for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the 2022-23 campaign, when he averaged 4.9 points on 67.0% two-point shooting and 3.2 rebounds in 13:29 minutes per game. Over four EuroLeague seasons with Fenerbahce, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and UNICS Kazan, Jekiri has appeared in 111 games, posting career averages of 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.
A dominant rebounder, Jekiri ranked second in the EuroLeague in boards during his rookie season with ASVEL in 2019-20 (7.5 rpg.) and was fourth in 2021-22 with UNICS (6.5 rpg.), including 2.9 offensive rebounds per game. His physical presence and ability to control the glass have made him one of the most reliable big men in Europe.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Jekiri played college basketball at the University of Miami, where he was a teammate of Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin in his first season and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade center Ebuka Izundu in his final season. Jekiri began his professional career in Turkiye with Bandirma Kirmizi and Gaziantep Basketbol and also played for Telenet Ostend in Belgium before joining ASVEL in 2019. He led Ostend to the 2018 Belgian championship as the league’s top rebounder and finals MVP. Jekiri has represented Nigeria at the international level and now brings his experience and toughness to Partizan.