“I am Nigerian, and it is a big part of my upbringing” - Nigerian American basketball icon, Ike Diogu, proudly asserts

Posted : 18 November 2023

Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, known professionally as Ike Diogu, is a Nigerian American professional basketball player who currently plays for Piratas de La Guaira of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He was born in Buffalo, New York, on September 11, 1983, and is considered one of the greatest African basketball players of all time.

Diogu's professional career began in 2005 when he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft. He spent two seasons with the Warriors before being traded to the Indiana Pacers. He also played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs during his NBA career.

In 2012, Diogu signed with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He spent two seasons with the Flying Tigers before moving to the Guangdong Southern Tigers, where he won two CBA championships. He also played for the Sichuan Blue Whales and the Shimane Susanoo Magic before returning to the CBA with the Jiangsu Monkey Kings in 2016.

Diogu has also had a successful international career. He represented Nigeria at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was named the MVP of the 2017 FIBA Africa Championship, where he helped Nigeria win its second gold medal in the competition.

Diogu is known for his athleticism, versatility, and scoring ability. He is a three-time All-Pac-10 selection and was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2005. He is also a two-time NBA D-League All-Star and was named the NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year in 2014.

In an exclusive interview with Africa Sport Network (ASN), Diogu expressed his pride in being a Nigerian. Having been brought up in the United States, Diogu notes that he highly identifies himself with the Igbo tribe of his Nigerian community, despite his exploits abroad.

“Growing up as a Nigerian in the U.S. I was always around other Nigerians. The environment I grew up in, Dallas, had a lot of Nigerians, specifically Igbos. When I was younger, I went to a Nigerian church and surrounded myself with people of my nationality.

“My parents always instilled in me that even though I was born in the U.S., I’m still a Nigerian, food-wise, music, everything. I am Nigerian and it is a big part of my upbringing,” the Nigerian American footballer said.

When asked about his greatest accomplishment in his career, Diogu said that being able to represent his home country and tribe means a lot to him.

“While playing in the national team for about 10 years, I saw myself being able to represent my village and my family members who never got the chance to come over to the U.S., but get to watch me play, making history for the African continent, the country, and my state, Imo state.

In response to the question of why basketball and not any other sport like football, Diogu admitted that he started off as an amateur footballer but switched to basketball.

“I played football growing up in Texas. But as I continued to grow into my body, and get bigger, I felt like I had a better chance in pursuing basketball professionally, and it turned out to be a very good decision. But I am a huge American football fan, and I enjoy it a lot.”

Ike Diogu added that he draws his inspiration from his family, emphasizing the fact that family is a priority and has propelled him in more ways than one.

“My immediate family is my greatest inspiration. Seeing how hard my parents strove to provide for myself and my siblings inspired me greatly. My elder brothers are also my heroes, because they played American football, and that pretty much introduced me to sports, as I followed their footsteps.”

When asked about his most memorable moment in his basketball career, Diogu said that qualifying for the Olympics for the first time was quite memorable.

“Qualifying for the Olympics in 2012 for the first time was quite memorable for me. I was in the National team, and we went to the Olympics qualifying tournament in Venezuela. No one really gave us a chance, but we built a strong team, believing in ourselves. We were a part of history on so many different levels. That was the first time Africa sent two teams to the Olympics, that is Nigeria and Tunisia.”

Diogu went on to share some of his challenges as a Nigerian player in the diaspora, narrating how the focus on football in Nigeria has given Nigerian basketball players a certain identity in the diaspora.

“The greatest challenge is the stereotype that Nigeria is a football nation. I just feel that if we were to put in the same resources as we do in football in basketball, basketball and football will be neck and neck.

“The challenge is in trying to make everyone see the potential of Nigeria and Africa in general, as regards basketball.”

The basketball icon further shared his retirement and long-term plan in the sport, stressing that coaching will be his go-to thing.

“I don’t think I could be called up to play anymore in the national team, since I am nearing retirement, but I am always open to lend my expertise to the team. I still have a lot of brothers on the team. So, I will always support the national team, as it is dear to my heart.

“If given the opportunity, I would like to get into professional coaching, especially for guys that play in my position.”

On a lighter note, the basketball icon reminisces on his childhood memory, the times he lived together with his parents and siblings, indicating how family-oriented he is.

He expresses himself to be a chill personality, who is passionate about basketball, and goes all out for it, but not meddling in crazy adventures.

“I’m not a thrill seeker, I’m just a regular person. My superpower is to remain calm in all situations. I’m never pressured, never rushed; I’m just always the same,” Diogu says.

Talking about career and personal life balance, Diogu says it is a matter of making out time for the people and things he takes as priority. He believes that family will always be there, so it is easy for him to create that balance.

Diogu then advises upcoming players, saying that hard work and consistency are the necessary ingredients to becoming successful in the sport and as a matter of fact, any venture at all.

“Just continue to work hard every day, because you will never know who’s watching or when your opportunity will present itself, so you’ve got to be ready. Chase your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it,” Diogu advised.

Diogu is an inspiration to many young basketball players, both in Nigeria and around the world. He is a role model for those who dream of playing professional basketball, and he shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Diogu has had a significant impact on Nigerian basketball. He is one of the most successful Nigerian basketball players of all time, and his success has helped to inspire a new generation of Nigerian players. Diogu is also a vocal advocate for Nigerian basketball, and he has helped to promote the sport both in Nigeria and around the world.

“I am Nigerian, and it is a big part of my upbringing” - Nigerian American basketball icon, Ike Diogu, proudly asserts

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