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Non-guaranteed contract, but guaranteed effort from Ike Diogu

Making a good first impression is a top priority for rookies like Los Angeles Clippers Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu. However, for guys like 27-year-old Ike Diogu, it may be the final chance to make a lasting impression.

Diogu already got his first opportunity when he was the ninth overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2005 NBA Draft. The Arizona State University product showed promise with his strength, vicious rebounding, and solid offensive skills in the low block.

Through five full seasons in the NBA, the 6-foot-9, 250-pound Nigerian American averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. He also averaged one team per year.

Diogu started his career in Golden State, but also suited up for the Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Hornets. When he was available to play, Diogu would be deeply planted in a team’s rotation, averaging no more than 15 minutes per game in his career.

He didn’t play a single minute in his 2009-10 stint with the Hornets due to microfracture surgery on his left knee. That didn’t sit well with the former PAC-10 Player of the Year, who averaged 22.6 points and 9.8 rebounds his final year as a junior at Arizona State.

“I just wanted to show everybody that I was really looking forward to being here (New Orleans) and being a part of this team,” Diogu said in an interview with the Hornets. “I thought I could bring something different to the table. I was just battling through (surgery and rehabilitation). It was painful, but I still tried to prove to everyone that I really wanted to be on the floor.”

“In this league, opportunities like this don’t come very often,” he continued. “I was willing to do whatever it took to show that I wanted to seize this opportunity. But I couldn’t do it. I did everything possible, from sitting out, to getting injections, to practicing on one leg. It just got to the point where I couldn’t do it anymore.”