| Position | Center |
|---|---|
| Height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| League | Russian Super League |
| Team | Spartak Primorye |
| Born | April 2, 1983 Abeokuta, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| College | Chicago State |
| Draft | Undrafted, 2005 |
| Pro career | 2005–present |
| Career history | Golden State Warriors (2005) Fort Worth Flyers (2005–06) Aguas de Calpe (2006) Iowa Energy (2006–07) Pau-Orthez (2007–08) Scavolini Spar Pesaro (2008–09) Obradoiro CAB (2009) SPO Rouen Basket (2010) BC Nizhny Novgorod (2010) Montepaschi Siena (2010–11) |
Akindele Jeleel Ayodeji (born 2 April 1983 in Abeokuta) is a Nigerian professional basketball player. He is currently playing for Spartak Primorye in Russia. He was also part of the Nigeria national basketball team, and represented Nigeria at the 2007 and 2009 African Championships, averaging 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.[1]
Akindele chose Chicago State over Rutgers, St. Peters and St. Marys. During Akindele's first season in Chicago, the 7'1" center averaged 7.1 points per game (ppg),5.6 rebound (rpg) and 1.94 blocks per game (bpg).[2] In his second season, Akindele improved his block total by 8 in 4 fewer games (2.50 bpg), as well as improving his scoring average to 12 ppg.[3] His best game, statistically, was when he registered 28 points (10-for-13 field goals), 21 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 79–71 loss to Green Bay on December 1, 2004.[4] He was also named the Mid-Continent Conference defensive player of the year for 2004–2005.
Akindele left Chicago State after his sophomore year, declaring himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft. Going unselected in 2005,had a short stint with the NBA Golden State Warriors. Akindele was selected in the fourth round of the Development League's Draft by the Fort Worth Flyers.[5]
In December 2010 he signed with Montepaschi Siena until the end of the 2010–11 season.[6] In August 2011 he returned to Russia to play for Spartak Primorye.[7]