Victor Ozokechi’s approach toward his chosen job, basketball, indicates that he is on his way to being a force to be reckoned with.
On July 12, the Nigeria Basketball Federation shared a video of the teenager shooting hoops, and it’s hard to believe the tall, energetic player is only 16 years old.
Ozokechi, an inter-school tournament MVP, was born in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, and began playing basketball at the age of 12.
Having lost his father, he has his mother’s complete support as he strives to become a global star of the game.
Ozokechi started basketball after his coach took an interest in him.
“It was when I was in secondary school. Basketball was always a big thing in my school but I decided to start playing in JSS1. I started helping the players out and picking up the balls and I learnt from watching them play. The coach then said he wanted me to play, and started training me. I joined the school team, though I wasn’t that good, but I started from there,” Ozokechi told ANAEDOONLINE.NG Sports Extra.
The up-and-coming basketball player tried his hands and feet at other sports, but nothing could compare to the feeling he had whenever he stepped on the basketball court.
“I played volleyball, and I played football, but it was just a normal feeling of participating in sports, like having to pass time, but basketball felt different.
“I love everything about the game, it gives me comfort, it’s like a different world once I’m on the court, I forget about everything. I just play the game and have fun.”
Starting at such a young age and not being as tall as others on the team, it was tough, but his coach helped him out.
“I started at a very young age, around 12, so I was very short when my coach started teaching me. I struggled because there were taller players in my school, senior players that didn’t want me to play, but because of the hard work I put in, my coach took a personal interest in me.”
On his happiest moment so far, he stated, “It was when we played an inter-school competition contested by all Marist schools then. I was fortunate enough to win the MVP award playing for Marist Brothers Juniorate. There were eight schools in the competition and we came second.”
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But he’s also had some hard time on the court, as well.
“Anytime I lose a game, it’s very painful but there was this game I joined an Enugu Barracks team, the Dragon Knights, to play in Ebonyi State. So, we had a chance to tie the score with a two-pointer or win the game by a three-pointer at the buzzer. I was at the three-point line asking for the ball from my teammate, but they locked him up and when he was able to make the pass to me I could not take the shot before the buzzer went off.”
Ozokechi’s favourite basketball star is the iconic American Steph Curry, who plays for NBA side Golden State Warriors.
“I like him because of his game intelligence, his IQ, and his style. Once he gets the ball and he can create that space, he just takes his shots. That’s what my coach says; when you’re free, don’t decide to pass, just take the shot as long as you’re free and that’s Curry’s game, he doesn’t stress when he’s free.”
He also hopes to showcase his stuff abroad someday. He is already focused on going pro.
“I wish for an opportunity to travel out of Nigeria, to a place that values basketball because Nigeria does not value the sport, for instance, the government banned international basketball activities for two years before they reversed it. It made me lose confidence. But I would still love to represent my country and hope Nigeria gets better.”
On what he would have become if he wasn’t a basketball player, Ozokechi said, “I’m good at tech. I can fix phones; I do that sometimes to get some extra money by the side.”
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