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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Sports / Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon (11149 Views)
Is Victor Oladipo Nigeria's Next NBA Superstar And The New Hakeem Olajuwon? / Victor Oladipo And Chiney Ogwumike Rise Through Olajuwon’s Legacy.. / Jeremy Lin Or Hakeem Olajuwon (2) (3) (4)
Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:36am On Mar 16, 2013 |
[size=14pt]Victor Oladipo[/size] Victor Oladipo (born May 4, 1992) is a junior basketball player for the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team at Indiana University. His unique combination of explosive athleticism, fearless defense, and efficient shooting have drawn comparisons to Dwayne Wade and Michael Jordan. In 2013 he was named the Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year. Born to Nigerian parents, Oladipo played high school basketball at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. As a senior he averaged 11.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He led DeMatha to a 32-4 record and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and City championships. Oladipo was named to the Washington Post 2010 All-Met First Team and the First Team All-WCAC. He was ranked No. 144 overall and the No. 41 shooting guard in his class by Rivals.com. Scout.com listed him as the No. 39 shooting guard in his class and ESPN put him at No. 53 at his position. College career Oladipo chose to play basketball for Indiana University and major in sports communication broadcast, turning down offers from Notre Dame and Xavier. Upon his commitment to Indiana he said, "It's like a basketball atmosphere everywhere you go....It's a basketball town. That's perfect." Freshman season As a freshman during the 2010-11 season, Oladipo played in 32 games and started five. He earned his first career start that year against Penn State and scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, four rebounds, three steals and two assists in 27 minutes of action. He made his second career start against No. 2 Ohio State and responded with 14 points and six rebounds. Sophomore season As a sophomore during the 2011-12 season Oladipo averaged 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game (47.1% FG, 75% FT). Some commentators referred to him as Indiana's "most improved player this season" and he was often cited as the team's best defender.[6] Oladipo scored 10 or more points in 21 games in the season, 11 more games than the previous year. He also increased his free-throw percentage from 61 to 75, and he got there four times per game. The Hoosiers' record in 2011-2012 improved by fifteen games over the prior season, making it the largest single turnaround in the NCAA that year. The team earned a number four seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament and defeated New Mexico State in the second round. After defeating VCU in the third round, the Hoosiers lost in the Sweet Sixteen to Kentucky, the eventual national champions. As a junior during the 2012-13 season Oladipo emerged as one of the team's principal stars. Despite a roster deep with talent, including Preseason Player of the Year Cody Zeller, Oladipo emerged as one of the nation's biggest stars Midway through the season ESPN writer Eamonn Brenann wrote, "In 2½ seasons in Bloomington, Oladipo has morphed from a raw athletic specimen to a defensive specialist/energy glue guy -- he became a hit with IU fans for holding his hand in front of his face after dunks at home, typically after a steal he himself created -- into a sudden, stunning, bona fide collegiate star." Due in part to Oladipo's leadership, the Indiana Hoosiers finished the 2012-13 season as the outright Big Ten champions. At the end of the regular season Oladipo ranked fourth in the country in field-goal percentage (61.4), on pace to have the highest field-goal percentage by any guard since the 1996-97 season. He ranked third in the nation in true shooting percentage (68.4), which measures shooting efficiency that takes into account field goals, 3-point field goals and free throws. And he averaged 1.39 points per play and shot 73.9% on offensive rebound put-backs, both of which ranked among the top five in the country. On defense Oladipo was arguably even more dominating. In a game that season against #1 Michigan, he guarded four different players in 45 possessions, but only gave up 4 points. Among Wooden Award finalists, he had the best net rating -- which is the difference between points produced and points allowed per 100 possessions. Oladipo produces 42 more points than he allowed per 100 possessions. Each game he drew the opponent's top perimeter player, and his 5 percent steal rate (2.2 per game) ranked 15th in the country. His 69 steals in the season is second all-time at Indiana to Isiah Thomas who had 74 during the 1980-81 national championship season. He averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. He was also one of only two players from major conferences averaging at least 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game this season. At the conclusion of his junior year Oladipo racked up numerous awards. He was named the Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year. In conference honors he was named a unanimous pick to the First Team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media, and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the year. Oladipo is a shooting guard who is also capable of playing small forward. His unique combination of explosive athleticism, fearless defense, and efficient shooting have drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan. Indiana coach Tom Crean would frequently attribute Oladipo's success to his extreme work ethic and pre-game preparation of reviewing film. Oladipo is known for entertaining fans with exciting dunks. As announcer Clark Kellogg noted, "Victor Oladipo is like a baby's bottom, smooth and sometimes... explosive." On offense, Oladipo is capable of aggressively and quickly driving to the basket, aided by unparalleled athletic leaping ability. Following a victory by Indiana over #1 ranked Michigan, coach John Beilein remarked, "I've seen a lot of players. I don't know whether I've seen one quicker or faster, more athletic, than Oladipo. It's tough to stay in front of him." His offensive proficiency improved as his outside shooting range improved each year of his collegiate career. On defense, Oladipo is a "lockdown off-ball defender who can defend multiple positions". He has the quickness to guard point guards and the strength and athleticism to fight around a forward and get to a front if caught in a mismatch. His athleticism and anticipation makes it hard to set a screen on him. He also does a great job of rebounding his position. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Oladipo 1 Like |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by onila(f): 1:39am On Mar 16, 2013 |
HE aint cute |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:41am On Mar 16, 2013 |
onila: HE aint cute It's not about his looks - he has been compared to Dwyane Wade and Michael Jordan... The boy can play, defend, and his athletic ability is out of this world... He did a 360 dunk yesterday - let's celebrate his talent and his work ethic.. 4 Likes |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:43am On Mar 16, 2013 |
onila: HE aint cute |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:45am On Mar 16, 2013 |
untouchablebela: Hiya, what's good? |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:47am On Mar 16, 2013 |
Hey u. Am gud thanks n u? shymexx: |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:47am On Mar 16, 2013 |
[size=14pt]Indiana guard Victor Oladipo's 'weird relationship' with father gets more complicated[/size] BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The momentous days are all lined up ahead of Indiana guard Victor Oladipo. There is the Sunday game at Michigan to decide who claims ownership of the Big Ten title, and perhaps who claims ownership of Big Ten and national Player of the Year honors between Oladipo and the Wolverines' Trey Burke. NCAA tournament Selection Sunday is a week later, where the Hoosiers will learn their path toward a potential national championship. Hoosiers coach Tom Crean with guard Victor Oladipo. (USA TODAY Sports)A Final Four appearance would come in early April, followed by a deadline later in the month to declare for the NBA draft or stay in school. But the day most anticipated by Victor's family of academic achievers is Saturday, May 4. That is his 21st birthday and also graduation day at Indiana. Victor is on course to receive his sport communication degree in just three years. "My whole family is coming down for graduation," he told Yahoo! Sports. "My cousins, uncles – my dad might even come. Who knows? We'll see." His dad, a man with a PhD from Maryland, might come to college graduation? Victor shrugged. "When the time comes, I'm going to invite him, see what he'll do," he said. "But there's no guarantee." There never has been a guarantee with Chris Oladipo. He has not been an absentee father in the more stereotypical sense. Chris and his wife, Joan, natives of Nigeria, raised Victor and daughters Kristine, Kendra and Victoria (Victor's twin) together in suburban Washington, D.C. But when it comes to taking part in the moments that mean the most to his son, Chris Oladipo has been an apparition.He has never been to one of Victor's college games. He rarely went to any of his son's games at DeMatha High School – and when he did go, he remained out of his son's view. Chris attended Victor's DeMatha graduation but left after a short time, Victor said. The subject of his father clearly is a touchy one for Victor. Bring it up and the Upper Marlboro, Md., native starts looking around the room. Checks his phone. Talks in a softer voice and shorter sentences. "He doesn't like to show his face," Victor said. "That's just how he is." On the court, Victor at times seems unchained from the tyranny of gravity. He seems able to reach an ethereal plane, floating above the mortals below in clean and untroubled airspace. But what goes up still must come down, even if it takes a while for No. 4 to land. And back on the ground, life's complications and problems are still there – including a dad who doesn't much care what kind of midair magic his son can perform. "Him and his father have kind of a weird relationship," said forward Christian Watford, Victor's roommate. Attempts by Yahoo! Sports to reach Chris Oladipo were unsuccessful. Joan said "I doubt very much" that Chris, who has been described by others as "antisocial," would consent to an interview. Another reason for Chris Oladipo's reticence to be interviewed could be a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him and his employer, the Prince Georges County, Md., Health Department, in January. According to D.C.-area media reports from February, Oreadea Treadwell alleges that Chris Oladipo – who was her boss – is a "sexual predator" who harassed her for nearly two years. Treadwell filed a complaint against Oladipo in June 2010, according to Gazette.net. In July 2010, she sought and received a peace order against Oladipo. In 2012, a Human Relations Commission report supported Treadwell's claim. However, Chris Oladipo remains employed by the agency, as does Treadwell in a different department. The county is seeking to have Treadwell's suit dismissed. "We are aware of the situation and are supporting Victor through it," said Indiana spokesman J.D. Campbell. "We have no further comment." The strained relationship between father and son predates the lawsuit by several years. Victor grew up in a task-oriented household in which his parents – who moved to the United States together in 1985 – held divergent views on life outside academia. Chris has no use for an extracurricular frivolity like basketball. Joan, a registered nurse, loves it. Chris once wanted to send Victor to China for a summer to learn martial arts and improve his self-discipline, even though it would mean missing key exposure on the AAU recruiting trail. Joan wouldn't hear of it, and won that argument. "He is more the academic side," Joan Oladipo said. "I'm both, the academic and sports side. I'm trying to make sure our children are well-rounded. It's important to be athletic and outgoing. You can't just be a bookworm all the time." There may not be a more well-rounded player in college basketball than Victor Oladipo – whether his father appreciates it or not. The first practice of the season at Indiana was a long one. It started with a live look-in on ESPN, then got down to high-intensity, high-volume business after the cameras shut off and the on-air talent went home. It lasted more than three hours. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--indiana-guard-victor-oladipo-s--weird-relationship--with-father-gets-more-complicated-042336363.html |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:49am On Mar 16, 2013 |
- |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:49am On Mar 16, 2013 |
onila: HE aint cuteHE is good def not a Lebron james, kobe Bryant talent |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by huninaija(f): 1:51am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx: Can you post a link to this dunk pls? |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:52am On Mar 16, 2013 |
CAMEROONPRIDE: HE is good def not a Lebron james, kobe Bryant talent Not yet, though... Both of them never played college basketball, anyway... only time will tell... Don't forget Michael Jordan wasn't that great in College as well - Hakeen Olajuwon was the man back then during their college days... |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:52am On Mar 16, 2013 |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:54am On Mar 16, 2013 |
untouchablebela: Ok because i cant rem my nairaland email password. Hmmmmm... Ok, then.. |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:55am On Mar 16, 2013 |
huni_naija: This is the dunk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ63CGBuzwE |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:55am On Mar 16, 2013 |
. |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by huninaija(f): 1:57am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx: Chai! lil man got game! |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:58am On Mar 16, 2013 |
untouchablebela: Ok because i cant rem my nairaland email password. Can you edit your earlier post?? I don't want stalkers following around this byt.ch again... It seems everyone gets his/her hard-on by stalking me and scrutinizing everything I do in this bytc.h - too many stans... |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:58am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx:wooww do you know his height ? he looks stocky |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:58am On Mar 16, 2013 |
untouchablebela: Will set up a new email then u can send it when am done Ite babes... |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 1:59am On Mar 16, 2013 |
CAMEROONPRIDE: wooww He's 6'4... |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:00am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx:you have a point ..anyway good luck sha , we need more African in the NBA anyway |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:01am On Mar 16, 2013 |
Ok shymexx: |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:01am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx:thanks is he going to the 2013draft? |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:04am On Mar 16, 2013 |
CAMEROONPRIDE: you have a point ..anyway good luck sha , we need more African in the NBA anyway All the Africans drafted of late have been great disappointments except Serge Ibaka(he plays for Spain) and Aminu... I think the Sulaimon guy from Duke and the other half Igbo guy who plays for the US under-19 teams are also great talents to watch out for... There's this Sengalese guy(I can't remember his name) in college basketball as well - he's a great player.. |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:04am On Mar 16, 2013 |
untouchablebela: Ok |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:05am On Mar 16, 2013 |
CAMEROONPRIDE: thanks Yeah... He's graduating this summer... |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:06am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx:joakim Noah , luc mbah a mouthe are not bust |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:06am On Mar 16, 2013 |
. |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:08am On Mar 16, 2013 |
CAMEROONPRIDE: joakim Noah , luc mbah a mouthe are not bust Joakim Noah is more of a French New Yorker(Brooklyn stand up) than an African lol... Heck, Jeff Green is more African than him... And luc mbah a moute is a role player in the NBA just like Ekpe Udoh - nothing special.. |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:37am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymmexx wah gwan babes? you ball? |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:38am On Mar 16, 2013 |
onila: HE aint cute smh. |
Re: Victor Oladipo: The Best Nigerian Basketball Prodigy Since Hakeem Olajuwon by Nobody: 2:44am On Mar 16, 2013 |
shymexx:yo, Udoh ain't even a starter. Luck is way beyond a role player in the NBA-Milwaukee |
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