“I’m Feeling Good” — Devine Eke Steps Up Recovery Ahead of Return

Nigeria’s D’Tigers forward, Devine Eke, has provided a positive update on his recovery journey as he continues rehabilitation from a knee injury that temporarily halted his rising career.

In an exclusive interview, Eke disclosed that he is making steady progress after suffering a patella tendon injury, with his primary focus now on regaining full fitness and returning to competitive basketball.

“I’m feeling good, I’m just working hard five times a week, hopefully to come back playing this summer,” Eke said. “I’m not rushing things, but the people working with me on this injury have a target date, and that’s what we are aiming for.”

The athletic forward emphasized that patience and discipline are key to his comeback, noting that he is currently following a structured rehabilitation program designed to ensure a safe and complete return to action. His recovery team has mapped out a timeline that balances intensity with caution, a critical approach for an injury as delicate as a patella tendon tear.

Eke’s journey in professional basketball has been one defined by resilience and persistence. After graduating, he faced an uncertain start to his career due to the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited opportunities for young players seeking contracts. Despite these challenges, he remained determined, earning workouts with several National Basketball Association teams, including the Chicago Bulls.

His breakthrough came in Spain, where he signed with Palencia in the LEB Oro league, marking his first step into professional basketball in Europe. In January 2023, he moved to the Netherlands to join Feyenoord Basketball. After resolving work permit delays, he made his debut on March 6, 2023, contributing five points in an away game against Brussels.

Eke’s career reached new heights in May 2024 when he joined Rivers Hoopers for the Basketball Africa League season. He quickly became one of the team’s standout performers, playing a pivotal role in their impressive third-place finish. His performances earned him a place in the All-BAL Second Team after averaging 16.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

His dominance in the BAL opened doors internationally, as he later featured for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2024 NBA Summer League. He was subsequently selected in the NBA G League draft by the Santa Cruz Warriors, although his stint was short-lived following a waiver in December 2024. A brief move to the Delaware Blue Coats followed in January 2025.

Undeterred, Eke continued his professional journey by joining ASC Ville de Dakar for the 2025 BAL season, further solidifying his presence on the African basketball scene.

On the international stage, Eke has also made a strong impression with Nigeria men's national basketball team. He made his debut in February 2024 during the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers, delivering an outstanding performance with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists against Uganda. He followed that up with an even more impressive 31-point outing against Cape Verde, underlining his growing importance to the national team.

As he continues his recovery, Eke remains optimistic about returning stronger, with both club and country likely to benefit from his energy, versatility, and scoring ability. If his rehabilitation goes according to plan, fans can expect to see him back on the court in peak condition by the summer.

Photo credit: FIBA

Photo credit: FIBA