Education
Oriakhi chose the University of Connecticut to play for Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun.
Oriakhi chose the University of Connecticut to play for Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun.
He transferred to the University of Missouri for his senior year. He was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2013 National Basketball Association draft by the Phoenix Suns. Oriakhi played at Brooks School before playing for the Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire.
As a senior, he was named a McDonald"s All-American as well as a send-team Parade All-American and the Gatorade player of the year for New Hampshire.
Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Oriakhi was listed as the Number. 3 center and the Number. 21 player in the nation in 2009.
He started most of his freshman season, averaging 5.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. At the close of the season, he was named to the Big East Conference all-rookie team
As a sophomore, Oriakhi raised his game to average 9.9 points, 8.7 rebounds (second in the Big East) and 1.6 blocks per game (7th in the Big East).
As a junior, Oriakhi saw his minutes decrease with the addition of highly recruited freshman Andre Drummond. His production dropped as well as he averaged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. After the season, Oriakhi announced his intention to transfer to another school, citing the Huskies" 2013 ban on postseason play.
Because Connecticut"s postseason ban covered his entire remaining eligibility (one season), he was eligible to play for his new school during the 2012-2013 season.
Ultimately Oriakhi transferred to Missouri. During his time at Missouri, he scored 11.2 points, grabbed 8.4 rebounds, and recorded 1.6 blocks per game in 25.8 minutes of play for 34 games.
2013-2014 season
On June 27, 2013, Oriakhi was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 National Basketball Association draft with the 57th overall pick. In July 2013, he joined the Suns for the 2013 National Basketball Association Summer League.
On August 2, 2013, he signed his first professional contract with Limoges Center for Security Policy of the LNB Pro A. On November 6, 2013, he parted ways with Limoges after just six games.
Four days later, he signed with Hapoel Holon of Israel. In December 2013, he left Israel and returned to the United States. On December 19, 2013, he was acquired by the Erie BayHawks of the National Basketball Association Development League.
On February 8, 2014, he was traded to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
He went on to earn National Basketball Association Doctorate-League All-Rookie first team honors. 2014-2015 season
On July 12, 2014, Oriakhi"s rights were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Isaiah Thomas.
On September 20, 2014, he signed with Pieno Žvaigždės of Lithuania for the 2014-2015 season. 2015-2016 season
In July 2015, Oriakhi joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2015 National Basketball Association Summer League.
On August 10, 2015, he signed with Orlandina Basket of the Italian Serie A for the 2015-2016 season.