Toronto Raptors' London-born star takes first steps in franchise ownership
Toronto Raptors star and former NBA champion O.G. Anunoby has purchased a minority stake in the London Lions in a spectacular coup for the burgeoning British Basketball League.
The Lions have enjoyed immense success since the team was bought by 777 Partners, winning the BBL Championship and BBL Trophy in 2022/23. Ahead of the Playoffs next month, the club has received a further boost.
Toronto Raptors small forward Anunoby - whose full name is Ogugua ‘O.G.’ Anunoby Jr. - has purchased a minority stake in the Lions, who became the first British team to qualify for the EuroCup playoffs earlier this month. Anunoby was born in London to Nigerian parents before moving to the United States when he was young.
Anunoby has emerged as a key player for the Raptors since he was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, with his impressive defensive acumen seeing him lead the NBA in steals for the 2022/23 season. He became the first British player to win the NBA championship when Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to glory over the Golden State Warriors in 2019.
The 25-year-old has played over 250 games for the Raptors, whose season ended at the hands of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Play-In tournament. He has since set his sights on ownership’s well as developing basketball in the United Kingdom.
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“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. “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.”
O.G. Anunoby led the NBA in steals as the Toronto Raptors finished the 2022/23 season with a 41-41 record (AP)Anunoby joins 777 Partners in ensuring the club, league and sport continue to develop while the BBL has aspirations of being a top-tier destination for basketball players looking to ply their trade in Europe or outside the NBA. The BBL has gone from strength-to-strength in recent times, with over 15,000 in attendance as the Lions fell to the Leicester Riders in the BBL Playoff Final at the O2 Arena last season.
Ultimately, 777 hopes to fill the investment gap left by the British government with basketball funding still not up to scratch considering the widespread popularity of the sport. Aaron Radin, the CEO of the BBL, took to social media to welcome Anunoby’s decision to invest in the Lions, writing: “I am excited by the news that NBA superstar O.G. Anunoby has joined the ownership group at the London Lions.
“It is a great reflection of the progress of the league has made that an NBA player has taken an interest in supporting British basketball. Born in London and the first-ever British player to win the NBA Finals, Anunoby is an icon and I'm excited to see the impact he has on the franchise and the league.”
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