Wesley Deshawn Iwundu (born December 20, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Rasta Vechta of the German Bundesliga. He played college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Wes Iwundu
Free Agent
PositionSmall forward / shooting guard
Personal information
Born (1994-12-20) December 20, 1994 (age 29)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolWestfield (Houston, Texas)
CollegeKansas State (2013–2017)
NBA draft2017: 2nd round, 33rd overall pick
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Playing career2017–present
Career history
20172020Orlando Magic
2017–2018Lakeland Magic
2020–2021Dallas Mavericks
2021New Orleans Pelicans
2021–2022Atlanta Hawks
2022Cleveland Charge
2022–2023Stockton Kings
2023–2024Rasta Vechta
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Third-team All-Big 12 (2016, 2017)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

College career

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Iwundu was recruited by coach Bruce Weber to Kansas State out of Westfield High School in Houston. He would go on to be a starter from the beginning, breaking the Wildcats' career record for games started with 124.[1] He came in as a part of a heralded five-man 2013 recruiting class, but ultimately was the only player who stayed at K-State past two seasons.

He was named third-team All-Big 12 Conference in both his junior and senior seasons.[2] For his senior season, Iwundu averaged 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.[3]

Professional career

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Orlando Magic (2017–2020)

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Following the closure of his college career, Iwundu was invited to the 2017 NBA draft combine.[4] In the 2017 NBA draft, Iwundu was taken in the second round by the Orlando Magic with the 33rd pick, thus becoming the first Kansas State player to be taken in an NBA draft since Michael Beasley and Bill Walker in 2008.[5] Iwundu signed a three-year contract worth a total of $4,046,762.[6]

Dallas Mavericks (2020–2021)

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On December 1, 2020, Iwundu signed with the Dallas Mavericks.[7]

New Orleans Pelicans (2021)

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On March 26, 2021, Iwundu was traded, alongside James Johnson and a second-round draft pick, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for JJ Redick and Nicolò Melli.[8]

On August 7, 2021, Iwundu was traded to the Charlotte Hornets[9] and was later waived prior to the start of the season.[10]

Atlanta Hawks (2021–2022)

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On December 23, 2021, Iwundu signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.[11]

Cleveland Charge (2022)

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On January 25, 2022, Iwundu was acquired off waivers by the Cleveland Charge.[12] However, he was waived on April 1 after suffering a season-ending injury.[12]

Stockton Kings (2022–2023)

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Iwundu was signed to the Portland Trail Blazers on September 23, 2022 on a training camp contract. He was waived on October 7.[13] On November 3, 2022, Iwundu was named to the opening-night roster for the Stockton Kings.[14]

Rasta Vechta (2023–2024)

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For the 2023–24 season, Iwundu signed with Rasta Vechta of the German Bundesliga.

Career statistics

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Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field goal percentage 3P% 3-point field goal percentage FT% Free throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

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YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18Orlando621216.5.427.196.7232.2.9.5.23.7
2018–19Orlando681318.1.412.367.8162.71.1.4.35.0
2019–20Orlando522118.3.416.341.8042.51.2.5.35.8
2020–21Dallas23312.5.327.130.8572.9.4.4.12.1
New Orleans18113.9.340.111.8242.6.4.3.12.8
2021–22Atlanta3127.3.444.600.7504.3.0.3.07.3
Career2265116.9.408.292.7982.5.9.5.24.4

Playoffs

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YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2019Orlando5012.0.333.3331.0001.4.8.6.04.8
2020Orlando5015.2.300.571.6252.2.8.6.44.2
Career10013.6.316.438.8241.8.8.6.24.5

NBA G League

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Regular season

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YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18Lakeland9935.3.405.125.7558.42.01.1.415.2
Career9935.3.405.125.7558.42.01.1.415.2

College

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YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2013–14Kansas State333223.6.461.412.6344.21.8.6.46.7
2014–15Kansas State312425.2.404.316.5953.52.0.7.65.8
2015–16Kansas State333232.4.478.200.6924.53.71.3.211.9
2016–17Kansas State353531.4.481.376.7676.33.51.0.313.0
Career13212328.2.463.338.6884.72.8.9.49.5

Personal

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Iwundu has Nigerian roots. In 2021, it was reported that he was in talks with the Nigeria national basketball team to represent Nigeria in the 2024 Summer Olympics.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Robinett, Kellis (April 11, 2017). "Wesley Iwundu poised to become K-State's first NBA Draft pick in nearly a decade". Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  2. ^ Corbitt, Ken (March 5, 2017). "K-State's Wesley Iwundu working for final shot at NCAA Tournament". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  3. ^ "Wesley Iwundu – men's college basketball stats". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Robinett, Kellis (April 29, 2017). "Former Kansas State star Wesley Iwundu invited to NBA Draft Combine". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  5. ^ Woods, Greg (June 22, 2017). "Wesley Iwundu drafted by Magic in second round of NBA Draft". BringOnTheCats.com. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "Wesley Iwundu Salary & Contract | Salary Sport". SalarySport.com. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  7. ^ Sefko, Eddie (December 1, 2020). "Mavericks sign eight, including Barea, Iwundu, Burke". Mavs.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Price, Dwain (March 26, 2021). "Mavs acquire sharpshooting guard Redick in trade with Pelicans". Mavs.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Hornets Acquire Wes Iwundu and Protected 2022 First-Round Pick in Three-Team Sign-and-Trade". NBA.com. August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  10. ^ Rochinski, Matt (October 18, 2021). "Hornets Waive Wes Iwundu". NBA.com. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  11. ^ Rehmann, Arman (December 23, 2021). "Hawks Sign Wes Iwundu To 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". gleague.nba.com. January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Gomez, Fernando (October 7, 2022). "Trail Blazers waive Devontae Cacok, Wes Iwundu and Brandon Williams". NBA.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  14. ^ "Stockton Kings Announce 2022-23 Opening Night Roster". oursportscentral.com. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  15. ^ Udoh, Colin (March 20, 2021). "Denver Nuggets' Monte Morris commits to play for Nigeria internationally". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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