Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, King of the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom in Ghana has named his top five greatest players of all-time.
Osagyefuo made the statement when organizers of Sprite Ball, Rite Sports were invited to the King’s office in the country’s capital, Accra during the annual trophy tour.
In an interview with Yaw Sakyi Afari, host of Ghana’s premier basketball television show “fastbreak”, Osagyefo named Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Julius “Dr J” Erving, Bill Russell and Larry Bird as his best.
“I am particularly happy with the nice gesture. It’s great and what I like about it (competition) is its energy and the enthusiasm from the schools,” he said on TV3’s Fast Break expected to be aired on Sunday December 20.
The great King is an ardent basketball fan who played the game during his time in the U.S. as a college student.
Osagyefuo also urged the nation’s youth to be disciplined before he was presented with the Sprite Ball Championship trophy.
The 2016 Sprite Ball will feature 26 senior high schools compete against each other between January 3-7 at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra.
His 20 twenty year stay in the NBA has been with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 37 year old set to retire after this season is the third highest scorer of all time and a five time NBA champion.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player ever to have played the game. He holds a perfect record by winning six championships in six NBA Final appearances and won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award five times. He is also the world’s first athlete billionaire.
“Dr J” Erving
His powerful, gravity defying dunks drove fans to arenas all over the States. He led the Philadelphia Sixers to its’ third and final NBA title in 1983 and was voted MVP in 1981. He was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Bill Russell
His name is simple but there is nothing simple in winning 11 NBA championships in 13 years. That feat ranks him as the winiest player in NBA history. He is credited for revolutionizing the Center position in the NBA.
Larry Bird
Larry Bird is credited as one half of the duo credited with saving the NBA from collapse. His sweet three stroke and eye popping assists spurred the legendary Boston Celtics of the 1980’s to three championships.
