Basketball: Candace Parker, Steph Curry Are My Role Models – Olawuyi Adenike

A young promising and versatile basketballer, Olawuyi Adenike “Niki” as she is fondly called, has explained her aims and objectives in the game of basketball, being her chosen career.

Adenike while featuring in an online interview session tagged “One-On-One with Ijoba sports” revealed her plans on the basketball court and challenges too.

“I never knew I will take this basketball game far like this, I started in year 2017, I just wanted to do the sport for fun but later, I developed much interest in it and that’s how I decided to put all my effort into it.

Today, I don’t regret the step I took because it has really helped my career, and I’m still aiming high because I still wish to play in the WNBA”. Adenike disclosed.

The Osun born basketballer who chose Candace Parker, a WNBA player & Steph Curry , an NBA Player as her role models in basketball, explained how her parents did not support her motive in the beginning.

‘My parents did not support me when I started, because my mother insisted I must study nursing. In fact, she has made necessary arrangement for me in a bid to focus on the nursing, but I said it is basketball that I want to play but later, she supported me after so much persuation from my coach.

Although the journey is rough as there are many challenges but I keep going and I won’t relent’. She said.

While emphasizing her future plans of having a basketball foundation, she called on the government to cater for young future stars in the sports sector.

‘I want the governments at all level to provide an excellent facilities for athletes because good facilities and necessary equipment is a big motivation for the athletes and this will really boost their focus, particularly for those who have much interest in basketball’. She added.

The versatile basketball player who hails from Osogbo the capital city of Osun State, was among the Nigerian Female Basketball team, The Tigress, who won the FIBA Afro Basket Women 2023 championship for the fourth consecutive time.

Adenike who is currently playing for NKA UNIVERSITAS PECS in Hungary, appreciated the efforts of her coach, Taiwo Ajibola Eleniyan, who contributed massively to her basketball journey. Up

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Michael Odetunde

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Odetunde Michael Sunday is a Journalist of his generation. He combines the talent and ability of Print, Online and Broadcast Journalist in a rare manner.

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