When we talk about Nigerian sports exports, football usually takes the spotlight. But basketball has been quietly gaining momentum, and one of our own Ogo Adegboye has been putting in work abroad, flying the green-white-green flag high in a different arena.
🏀 Born in Nigeria, Made for the Court
Ogo Adegboye was born on January 23, 1987, in Ibadan, Oyo State. He grew up like many of us, surrounded by the hustle of Nigerian life but his story took a sharp turn when he moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager. It was there that his basketball journey truly began.
Raised in a Nigerian household that believed in hard work and discipline, Ogo’s father instilled in him the value of consistency and staying grounded. You could say his Yoruba roots helped shape his commitment and strength qualities that would later define his playing style.
🎓 From Nigeria to NCAA Stardom
Ogo eventually crossed the Atlantic to the United States, where he played college basketball at St. Bonaventure University in New York. During his senior season, he led the entire NCAA in minutes per game, averaging a jaw-dropping 39 minutes per match! That’s practically playing every second of the game mad stamina.
He also averaged 11.5 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds per game, proving himself to be more than just a workhorse the guy had skills.
🏆 A Career Built on Persistence
After college, he launched his professional career across Europe playing in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and eventually returning to the UK to play for the London Lions in the British Basketball League (BBL).
While in Cyprus, he won the Cypriot Cup in 2013 with ETHA Engomis. His European career might not have made daily headlines in Naija, but trust me Ogo held it down in some serious leagues.
🌍 Repping Nigeria on the Big Stage
What really earns him his flowers is his work with the Great Britain National Basketball Team. Though raised in the UK, he never forgot where he came from. In tournaments like EuroBasket 2011 and 2013, Ogo represented proudly, delivering solid performances for Team GB.
Even without the noise of celebrity, Ogo Adegboye has proven that Nigerians don’t just play football we dominate wherever we show up.
🇳🇬 Why Nigerians Should Know Ogo
Let’s be real: most Nigerians probably haven’t heard much about Ogo because basketball doesn’t get the same media shine here. But he’s part of a growing movement of Nigerian talent making waves overseas and he’s living proof that the Nigerian spirit of hustle, drive, and grit thrives anywhere in the world.
He may not be dunking like LeBron or trending on Twitter every day, but in every team he plays for, Ogo brings leadership, resilience, and that Naija never-give-up attitude.
📌 Final Word
Ogo Adegboye isn’t just a UK-based baller he’s one of us. His journey from Ibadan to London, New York, and beyond is one young Nigerians should hear and be inspired by. So next time you’re talking sports, remember: Nigeria is repping strong on every court including the ones you don’t see on Supersport..