Osaka Evessa Sign Worth Smith and Chukwudiebere Maduabam After Placing Sebastian Saiz on Injury List

Osaka Evessa signed Chukwudiebere Maduabam and Worth Smith on October 30 while placing Sebastian Saiz on the injury list, Basket Count reported.

Maduabam and Smith Join Evessa Frontcourt Roster

Chukwudiebere Maduabam brings extensive international and domestic experience to Osaka. Born in Nigeria, the 35-year-old power forward and center stands 206 centimeters and weighs 119 kilograms.

Worth Smith arrives as a 33-year-old American power forward standing 198 centimeters and weighing 100 kilograms. Smith began his Japanese career with the Gifu Swoops during the 2020-21 season. He then moved to the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins for the 2021-22 campaign and spent the 2024-25 season with the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

“This teamの一員になれることを心から嬉しく思い” — Maduabam said through the club’s official announcement, translated to express his gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to working hard to help the team win. Smith echoed that sentiment in his official remarks, stating he looks forward to meeting fans at the venue.

Sebastian Saiz Injury Forces Roster Adjustments

The acquisitions come as Osaka copes with the loss of Sebastian Saiz. The 32-year-old Spanish center and power forward joined Osaka this past offseason after stellar stints in the B.League. Standing 205 centimeters and weighing 106 kilograms, Saiz made his league debut with the Sunrockers Shibuya in 2019-20. He later moved to the Chiba Jets, winning a B.League championship and earning Most Valuable Player honors in 2020. He then spent five seasons with Alvark Tokyo.

Prior to his injury, Saiz started all five games for Osaka this season, averaging 18.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.8 steals across 29.03 minutes per contest. The club announced on October 18 that Saiz underwent surgery for a lateral meniscus injury and lateral femoral condyle cartilage damage in his right knee.

B.League Roster Management and Team Implications

Placing Saiz on the injury list cleared roster space for Osaka to bring in both Maduabam and Smith simultaneously. Maduabam transitions back to 5-on-5 professional basketball after competing on the 3×3 circuit in Japan. Smith brings prior top-tier B.League experience from his time in Nagoya and Hiroshima, providing immediate frontcourt depth for the Evessa coaching staff as they navigate the remainder of the domestic schedule without their injured Spanish star.

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