- Etieno Ekiko, an Abuja-based businessman, is the estranged father of the NBA star, and the high school lover of Marissa Bane, Desmond’s mother
- Desmond only knew about the whereabouts of his father when he was 13 years old as he was brought up by his maternal great grand-parents
- Etieno Ekiko still lives in Abuja, Nigeria, and is presently married to a Nigerian woman
Etieno Ekiko is the estranged father of Memphis Grizzlies basketball player, Desmond Bane. Etieno’s high school relationship with Desmond’s mother Marissa Chantel Bane brought about the birth of the NBA star in 1998.
From the early 2000s to when he was 13, Desmond knew nothing about his father. However, in 2011, the basketball player found out that his dad, who left him and his family years ago, resided in Nigeria.
Desmond Bane’s Father is a Nigerian Businessman
Etieno Ekiko was born in, 1980 and his birthplace is traced to Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He has a family member identified as Imo who is his elder brother.
Imo is a graduate of Regis University who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He also minored in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder per htowndaily. The site also claimed that Desmond’s uncle was a Senior Consultant at a company known as IQVIA.
Etieno Ekiko is a businessman whose abandoned LinkedIn profile states that he is a CEO at Damuze Ventures. The company is owned by Desmond’s father and was established in 2012.
As per another LinkedIn profile suspected to be his, Ekiko is also a business development manager at a company known as Nusaed. He serves as the Chairman and CEO of Damu Resources Limited since 2012. The site also stated that Desmond’s father worked as a realtor for Zefa Investment Limited in Abuja, Nigeria.
Etieno Ekiko Abandoned his High School Love and his Son
Desmond Bane’s father, Etieno Ekiko, was the high-school sweetheart of Marissa Bane. He lived in Denver, Colorado, United States of America at the time of his son’s birth.
When Ekiko was 18 years old, he became a father. Marissa Bane was also 18 years old, and from their relationship, she gave birth to their son, Desmond Bane.
They were still teenagers and new to the whole family thing and so it wasn’t easy for both Etieno and Marissa.
After the birth of Desmond, Etieno Ekiko disappeared from Marissa’s life and that of their son. In fact, Desmond did not know who his dad was until he was a teenager. It was when he was 13 years (in 2011) that the Memphis Grizzlies player knew that his father had moved back to his home country of Nigeria.
Despite his father’s estrangement, Desmond Bane is close to his paternal uncle, Imo. While Ekiko returned to Nigeria upon the birth of his son, his brother and some other members of his family remained in Denver, Colorado.
Desmond Bane was Groomed by his Great Grandparents
At the time of Desmond Bane’s father’s departure from their family, Marissa had another daughter known as Anna. The young mother couldn’t keep up with raising her kids alone and so she found it difficult to settle in a place.
As a result of this difficulty, Desmond’s mother had to move in with her aunts, cousin, and even her uncle, Tony. When Uncle Tony’s marriage crashed, the basketball player, his mother, and his sister had to move yet again.
It was at this point that Desmond Bane’s great grand-parents decided to step in and help alleviate their sufferings.
Robert ‘Bob’ Wayne Bane was an electrician and facility manager who had just retired from the company he worked with. His wife known as Fabiola Erlinda Armijo Bane was a homemaker and seamstress. She was fondly referred to as Fabbie by her large family and close relatives.
Bob and Fabbie saddled themselves with the responsibility of taking care of young Desmond ever since he was 2 years old.
They sent him to Christian schools and brought him up following their faith. The African-American basketball player attended Seton Catholic High School. Upon graduating from there, his great grand-parents sent him to Texas Christian University.
All along, Etieno Ekiko knew nothing about his son whom he abandoned in the United States. However, this was not going to be for long because his son soon became a famous athlete.
Unfortunately, Bane’s great grand-parents, Bob and Fabbie passed away while his professional career was just starting. Bob died on July 20, 2020, and his wife, Fabbie died on February 9, 2021.
Etieno Ekiko’s Son Became a Famous Basketball Player
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm4raR6JuEa/
Desmond Bane’s father got to familiarize himself with his son when the young boy became successful. While growing up, Bane was encouraged to be athletic and he found interest in baseball and basketball.
Desmond Bane got interested in baseball because his maternal grandfather was a baseball player. Robbie Bane, according to Desmond, would have made a great baseball player and he wanted to achieve that feat on his behalf.
However, he later became more invested in basketball as his great-grandfather and great-grand-uncle fueled that love. They provided young Bane with what he needed to be a basketball player. This further encouraged Desmond’s school career until he got drafted by the NBA.
Now, the 26-year-old plays for the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team as a shooting guard.
Despite regaining connection, the father and son are still not close. They communicate once in a while but not as often as should. Desmond is closer to his mother and 3 other sisters – Anna, Ariyah Wright, and Jaylyn Wright.
Is Etieno Ekiko Married?
Etieno Ekiko has been living in Abuja, Nigeria for a while now and as of the beginning of 2023, was engaged. The 45-year-old father of the basketball player however traditionally got married to his fiancé on February 14, 2023.
The marriage was held in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria and had a lot of guests in attendance. The name of his wife hasn’t been revealed yet but she is a Nigerian woman whose initial begins with a J. The caption for the union was ‘J&E LOVESTORY 2023’.
On the other hand, his high school sweetheart and the mother of his son also got married. Marissa got married to Terrill Haley in 2013. She currently resides in Indianapolis with Desmond’s 3 sisters.
Discussion about this post