Charles Bassey

Charles Bassey's Biography

Charles A. Bassey, born on October 28, 2000, hails from Lagos, Nigeria. Currently, he is known for his stellar performance as a basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs, a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before his NBA journey, Bassey attended college and played basketball at Western Kentucky University for the Hilltoppers. The Philadelphia 76ers drafted him in 2021, paving his entry into the NBA.

Bassey grew up playing soccer in Lagos, Nigeria, until the age of 12. At the time, he stood 6 feet 1 inch tall. His journey of switching from soccer to basketball began when a youth basketball coach discovered him selling fried chicken on a roadside. Despite improper footwear, Bassey’s potential was evident to the coach. Thus, he shifted his focused from soccer to honing his basketball skills. This change proved fruitful when, at just 14, he was declared the most valuable player (MVP) at the basketball camp ‘Giants of Africa,’ run by Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri.

By the age of 14, Bassey was towering above his peers at 6 feet 10 inches. So he decided to shift permanently to the United States, where he could nourish his basketball talent in earnest. He joined St. Anthony Catholic High School, a private institution located in San Antonio, Texas. Even as a freshman, Bassey was considered among the top prospects. His impressive stats of 20.2 points, 17.1 rebounds, and 5.9 blocks per game led his team to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) championship.

His successful run continued when he was declared the MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic International Game. Unfortunately, some eligibility issues arose with TAPPS before his sophomore year. However, St. Anthony’s showed solidarity, leaving TAPPS and joining the Texas Christian Athletic League, which allowed Bassey back in the league.

Transferring to DeSales High School in Louisville, Kentucky, for his junior year, Bassey then played basketball for the Aspire Basketball Academy, averaging 19.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. The switch occurred owing to Hennssy Auriantal, his legal guardian and an assistant coach at St. Anthony’s, leaving the program.

Bassey, a five-star recruit, committed to the 2018 class at Western Kentucky. His freshman year was filled with awards, including First Team All-Conference USA, Defensive Player of the Year, and Freshman of the Year. Despite enduring an injury that cut short his sophomore year, Bassey returned with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and a career-high seven blocks in a game against Memphis.

Continuing his golden run, Bassey was named the Conference USA Player and Defensive Player of the Year during his last regular season. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft, relinquishing his remaining college eligibility. Subsequently, Philadelphia 76ers selected him in the second round of the draft with the 53rd pick, with whom he signed in September 2021.

Moving forward, his journey led him to San Antonio Spurs after he was waived off by the 76ers. He played for the Spurs and their NBA G League affiliate, Austin Spurs, under a two-way contract. A lucrative four-year, $10.2 million standard contract followed soon. However, injuries have been recurrent, necessitating the curtailment of a season where he fractured his left patellar tendon and another when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Bassey’s journey from Nigeria to the NBA wasn’t entirely smooth. His mother passed away shortly after his move to the United States at the tender age of 14. Despite considering moving back to Nigeria, his father encouraged him to stay and make a better life. His legal guardian, Canadian-born basketball coach Hennssy Auriantal, played a crucial role in shaping Bassey’s career and life. Following a dispute over custody, Bassey’s father dropped his petition, leaving Bassey under the guardianship of Auriantal and his wife. His journey continues to inspire many young athletes across the globe.