I want to be NBA’s greatest player — Victor Oladipo

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo talks about his first visit to Africa, upbringing, involvement with NBA’s projects, family and more, in this interview with ’TANA AIYEJINA in Johannesburg

You were the MVP at Saturday’s NBA Africa Game 2017 despite Team Africa losing to Team World 108-97. How do you feel?

It’s great to come here and represent my country well, I had a great time coming here from America. It’s been a great experience. It’s not always winning that matters, we came up short but I think the big thing was giving back to the crowd. It was a great turnout.

How do you feel being part of Basketball without Borders, an NBA initiative meant to develop the game on the African continent?

This is my first time in the event but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s amazing. I’m happy to be here (South Africa) the whole week and participate in several activities to improve people’s lives in Africa. I’m also happy to represent Team Africa, which for me, is like representing my country Nigeria.

What does coming to Africa mean to you, having previously not been to the continent before?

It means a lot; we (family) didn’t really have a lot of money to always come back home (in the past) but to be here now to see my people, a lot of faces from the NBA as well, it’s just a blessing and a great blessing and I’m already looking forward to visiting again soon.

Were you born with a silver spoon?

I don’t even know what a silver spoon looks like. My parents were Nigerian immigrants who came to the US 31 years ago. Life wasn’t easy growing up. My dad had to do several jobs, my mum had to go back to school, so it was tough. There were nights I didn’t see my parents, some days I didn’t see my dad, some I didn’t see my mum but they were working, trying to make sure we had a good life. I saw the essence of working hard, and that’s why I work hard today.

Was that why they couldn’t afford to take you on visits to Nigeria?

Exactly. They never had the means to take us home but now that I do, soon I will be able to take everyone back home.

Last year, you secured an $84m deal with Oklahoma City Thunder before moving to Indiana Pacers. How is life with your family now?

It’s great for me, to secure my family’s future for life, it’s huge. I love this game and I want so much from it. It’s only a chapter but I’m looking forward to writing the rest.

You’ve been involved in several NBA projects like BWB, Jr NBA, coaching clinic at SOS Village, building houses for people in Johannesburg, along with other stars. What does these mean to you?

It means a lot to come home and give back to people less fortunate than I am. It’s an amazing experience. The highlight of my trip to South Africa was going to the orphanage and have fun with the kids. It’s a great experience I’ll always remember.

Are you hoping to start something like that in Nigeria?

I’m working on doing some things in Nigeria. It’s surely going to be something on basketball, just give back to the youths through the game, taking my parents back home is something I want to do as well. I’m going to work with the NBA to see if I could do something about it and hopefully soon, I can really get something and get the ball rolling.

Was basketball your first love?

Yes, since I got out of the womb, and it has always been. Since I was born, it was all I wanted to do, my mother will tell you that. I fell in love with the game at a very young age and it’s all I ever wanted to do, nothing else. I’m still in love with the game, I still have goals I want to accomplish in the NBA. I want to die trying till I achieve those goals. I could have been a doctor or a lawyer but basketball is my heart and now that I’m in the NBA, I want more.

You were drafted with the second overall pick by the NBA in 2013, is that the highlight of your career?

That was a dream come true. That’s what I wanted since I was five years old. My mum, dad and sisters were all there. It’s an experience I will never forget.

Having played for Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder and now Indiana Pacers, what’s it like playing in the NBA?

It’s a great experience, I must confess. I’ve played against a lot of great guys, there’s a lot of great games, great players, who are the best in the world. Playing with and against these guys is a blessing. I just take it one game at a time and hope to keep improving. One day I can be the best.

How would you describe your performance last season?

It was great, I got to the play-offs for the first team, it was a great experience playing for Oklahoma City and I’m looking forward going to Indiana, where I went to school, and make an impact there, go out there and play as much as I can.

Do you feel American or Nigerian?

I’m very Nigerian. I eat their foods like jollof rice, egusi soup and pounded yam all the time. I also eat peppersoup when I’m sick. I listen to Nigerian music; I have several favourite musicians but I’m young, so Wizkid is my favourite. My whole family is Nigerian and I grew up 100 per cent Nigerian despite being born in the US. The green and white colours are in my blood. I just need to get to the country next year. I’ve never been home, we’ve never had enough money to go home. But now I finally have the means to do so, I’m making sure my entire family will travel to Nigeria on a visit. I’m proud to be Nigerian.

How much do you know about Nigeria?

I learnt it’s a beautiful country, I heard stories about the country from my mum and dad and it makes me feel I’ve been there a billion times. I’m looking forward to going back, see my family that I’ve never seen before or those I’ve not seen for a long time and learn more about my culture, my family, city and country.

What’s your most challenging time as a basketball player?

Every day is challenging. Doing things in the NBA and playing against the best players in the world isn’t easy but I would rather not be doing anything else. I believe God has a purpose for me, so wherever I’m, I believe I’m there for a reason, so I make the most of it. I got traded twice in two years, I’ve been on teams in two years but I believe in God and that everything happens for a reason.

What are your best moments?

I’ve had lots of great moments in my four years (in the NBA) so far; when I was going for the play-offs for the first time was one of them. I had 45 (points) in a game sometime.

Off the court, who is Victor Oladipo?

I’m a 25-year-old who is trying to great. Every day of my life, I try to be the greatest basketball player ever, the best I can be as a person. I didn’t get here on my own and I’m not going to where I want to be on my own. I must do something to reach my goals.

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is my mother. She’s been with me since I was born, she’s been a supporter of me being a basketballer since I was five. She’s my biggest fan and biggest critic. She learnt the game same way I learnt it – when I was little kid growing up. She would come to games to watch me. My dad did too, but my mum didn’t want me to do any other thing apart from basketball.

Your other name is Kehinde, which means you are a twin…

(Cuts in) Yes, I have a twin sister, Taiwo. I call her my other half, she’s the second part of me. She’s on the trip with me to South Africa, she’s my best friend, someone I can tell everything about myself, someone who has my interest at heart no matter what. I was born with her and we did everything together, she’s my rock, it’s been awesome having her as a twin. It’s just a blessing.

Does she play basketball too?

No, she dances. She’s very athletic and smart. All my sisters are smart. My older sister is going to be a dentist while my other sister is actually deaf but she’s going to school to study to become a film director. Victoria (Taiwo) just graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Sports Law and Communications.