Talib Zanna
Zanna playing for Nanterre, 2017
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| No. 42 – Ironi Nes Ziona | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Israeli Premier League |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
1 October 1990 Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Maryland) |
| College | Pittsburgh (2009–2014) |
| NBA draft | 2014 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2014–present |
| Career history | |
| 2014–2016 | Oklahoma City Blue |
| 2016–2017 | Nanterre 92 |
| 2017–present | Ironi Nes Ziona |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Talib Zanna (born 1 October 1990) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for Ironi Nes Ziona of the Israeli Premier League. Zanna played high school basketball at Bishop McNamara High School and competed collegiately with the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball. He was ranked among the Panthers' school leaders in field goal percentage and earned various honors such as All-ACC Honorable Mention, ACC All-Tournament first team, and NIT Season Tip-Off All-Tournament team. Zanna primarily plays the power forward position.
Zanna was born in Kaduna, Nigeria to Zanna Awami and Maimuna Zanna. He was brought up with three brothers and two sisters. He began playing basketball at the age of 10 years because of a growth spurt and urging from his brother. Zanna ran mountains to improve his speed, fitness, and vertical leap. He was eventually discovered by American coaches in a camp run by ex-Georgetown player, Godwin Owinje, in Lagos. In 2006, he moved to the United States and moved in with a host family. Upon arriving, he said the first few weeks were a disaster, as he struggled to communicate, did not understand the culture, and didn't like the taste of the food. Zanna called his father with the desire to return to Nigeria.
Zanna's brother, a Nigerian doctor, contacted Bishop McNamara basketball head coach Marty Keithline and asked for Zanna to be given an opportunity to get an American education and to have the opportunity to play basketball. He later visited South Africa for "Basketball Without Borders," with several other players, including Serge Ibaka, Dikembe Mutombo, Dirk Nowitzki and Luol Deng. Zanna said seeing an NBA player in person was a great experience. He also stated that it made him want to be in their position.
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