| In Nigeria, soccer
gets the most support from the government, and the media gives
our game little attention. Basketball equipment is expensive,
and you know the African problem is economy. But there are
lots of youths interested in playing the game. The lucky ones,
not really the best ones, get to go to colleges in the US.
If you are 6-10, chances are that you are more likely to get
to a better basketball league, rather than a 6-3 Allen Iverson
type scorer. Our established stars, and retired players are
doing very little to support the game in Nigeria. There is
a lot of lost talent here that real coaches and scouts don't
get to see.
NBA Legend, Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Nigeria.
Is he somewhat of a role model for you?
No, he is not a role model for me and I guess he's not for
lots of African players. He never really showed his presence
back home. If he had played for Nigeria, instead of the USA,
he would have done a lot to promote the game here. We love
his dream shake though. But he was kind of an absent father,
never at home. Back then, the dream was real.
There are two Nigerian players who currently play
in the NBA. Michael Olowokandi of the Boston Celtics, and
Ime Udoka of the Portland Trail Blazers. Are they idolized
back home, in Nigeria?
I love Ime Udoka, he got game. Kandi is not very popular
here. You got to be an idol, like the other NBA players. We
don't think they are doing enough just yet, but we still love
them. Emeka Okafor is of Nigerian parentage, and the kids
here love his aggressive game.
What's it like playing in Africa? Is it similar to
NBA basketball?
We get on court, and the air is charged. The game is very
physical, so you got to be strong. The calls are not coming
unless you are the home team. The rims are not regulation.
Most of the time, we play on concrete courts with pot holes.
But in terms of the competitiveness, the desire to win, the
raw talents undiscovered...The similarities are there. But
there's no lights, no television coverage, poor crowd attendance.
So, Europe and Asia are ahead of Africa. But the game is great
in Angola. They have good promotion of the game there. But
Nigeria has better talent, but worse managers.
I've read that 9 of the players who represented Nigeria
at the FIBA World Basketball Championship were born in the
United States. None of the players on the team played in Nigeria.
Why do you think that is?
One major reason is Sam Vincent, the American coach of the
Nigerian team. He wanted to use the American-born players
because of their records.
Where do you see Nigerian basketball in 5 years?
I love to think that we can be ranked among the top 5 countries
in the world. We can, because we have the talent. All we need
is the right people to manage our sports in Nigeria. We have
a great soccer nation, but we need to do more to put ourselves
on the basketball map. We're always going to have great players,
but we pray for a league that will groom home talent that
can jump into the NBA.
P.S.
The 21st FIBA African Champions Club Cup is scheduled for
Nov. 16th - Nov. 27th. It will be held at the Sports Hall
of the Lagos National Stadium (in Nigeria). |
