Charles Bassey, the 6’10” center, has officially joined the Memphis Grizzlies through the league’s hardship exception, per Shams Charania. With Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Zach Edey sidelined, Memphis needed a reliable interior presence. Bassey’s athleticism, rebounding, and defensive instincts give the Grizzlies a much-needed boost as they battle through a wave of early-season injuries.

For Bassey, though, this move represents another chance. Once courted by EuroLeague powers like Real Madrid and Baskonia, he chose to stay stateside, determined to carve out his NBA place. His decision reflects a sense of unfinished business and a belief that his best basketball still lies ahead, perhaps now in Memphis.

Where is Charles Bassey from?

Born on October 28, 2000, in Lagos, Nigeria, Charles Bassey’s story isn’t like most NBA rookies we see who have a basketball background. Before he was blocking shots and grabbing boards, he was a 12-year-old selling fried chicken on the streets of Lagos! That’s when fate, or more specifically, a basketball coach, spotted him.

Tall, awkward, and wearing flip-flops that didn’t fit, yet Bassey stood out. He joined the Giants of Africa basketball camp, where he dominated, earning him MVP honors.

By age 14, he was on a plane to the United States, starting his hoops education at St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio, Texas. Later, he transferred to Aspire Academy in Kentucky before making his college mark at Western Kentucky University.

During his three seasons there, he averaged 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, stacking up awards like Conference USA Player of the Year in 2021. That year, he declared for the NBA Draft and was picked 53rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.

What are Charles Bassey’s ethnicity and nationality?

Bassey is Nigerian by birth and takes it as a pride. His roots trace back to the bustling streets of Lagos, where family and ambition shaped his path. His father, Akpan Ebong Bassey, played a massive role in guiding his journey.

When financial troubles once made Charles consider returning home, it was his father who convinced him to stay and keep pushing forward. That persistence defines him even now. Bassey has worn the Nigerian colors internationally and carries that identity proudly in every league he steps into. From Lagos to Louisville to the NBA hardwood, his story is one of representation.

Is Charles Bassey Christian?

Bassey’s schooling in the United States included time at St. Anthony Catholic School, a detail that suggests a Christian, and specifically Catholic, educational environment during formative years. Public references to his upbringing and school background point toward a Christian upbringing, which is common among many Nigerian families who send children to faith‑based schools in the U.S.

Bassey himself has not been widely profiled for religious practice or public faith statements, so while his schooling hints at Christian ties, he is not known for public religious declarations.

After being drafted in the second round by the 76ers as the 53rd pick in 2021, he played limited minutes before being waived. The San Antonio Spurs picked him up on a two-way contract on Oct. 24, 2022, and later on on Feb. 14, 2023, converted it to a standard deal after his breakout performances with their G League affiliate. They waived him off last July.

Known for his rebounding instincts, Bassey carved out a reputation as a reliable defensive player whenever given the minutes.

Now with the Grizzlies, he will likely bring that same hustle to a team desperate for stability. And while the Grizzlies may have brought him in as a short-term fix, if there’s one thing Bassey knows how to do, it’s turn small chances into long-term statements. And rightly so.