INTERVIEW: How Difficult Childhood Inspired My Rising Basketball Career — Chinyelu

20-year-old rising basketball star, Rueben Chinyelu in this interview monitored by
Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU , revealed how he rose up from a tough
background in Nigeria’s commercial City, Lagos to becoming an important player for the
Washington State Cougars.

Can you provide insights into your background and upbringing in Nigeria?

I am from Anambra State, which is in Eastern Nigeria. I lost my dad when I was six, so I
was raised by my mother. It was a tough experience for me. My mother was left to take
care of the family then.

I’m just happy we were able to scale through, she instilled discipline into us. She was really
good at keeping us going with her discipline.

Commencing your basketball journey, what sparked your initial interest in the sport,
and when did you start playing?

When I was little, my siblings never allowed us to go out and partake in any sport. I have two
older sisters, who were more interested in my education and emphasized concentrating on
my school work as often as possible.

They made sure we all stuck by the rules and I didn’t take part in any sport. Basketball was
a bit popular in Nigeria back then.

I remember one specific summer, when I was helping my brother-in-law at his clothing store,
where he sells clothing materials, an old lady came to buy material, saw me, and said, “You
are tall, do you play basketball?”

That was not the first time I’ve heard the question. I told her I don’t play basketball and she
told me you can play basketball and also go to school in the United States of America.

That statement alone caught my attention. After our discussion, she wanted to see my
brother-in-law. She dropped her number and we connected later.

In the following days, my brother-in-law took me to the national stadium where I registered
under coach Shally. That was how my journey started.

You must have encountered some challenges and setbacks on your way, how has that
inspired you?

The challenges are real and constant, you always go through them in life. A year after I
started playing basketball, I had the opportunity to play for Nigeria’s U-16 side.

It was successful. I had a great run. I got offers from high schools in the States to go study
there. Then when I sought my visa application, I was denied. I was actually denied eight
times and it was a difficult experience for me.

I just tried to be strong and didn’t allow it to weigh me down. I didn’t want my mother to see
me down or see me sad. I always want to see her happy. I never want to see her down or
worried.

During that period, I just kept doing my thing; go to training and shift the energy from my
anger there, train hard and do my best. It was really difficult, but I was trying my best. I
remember one time I asked an interviewer, “Is there any reason why things are difficult?’

However, I was just positive, kept going and believing in God because he was the one that
brought me there and will see me through.

How has your Nigerian heritage shaped your approach to basketball? Are there
specific cultural values you carry both on and off the court?

Yes there is. It is in the way I was brought up, a disciplined lifestyle, doing what you have to
do at the right time and doing it the right way too, which helped me a lot.

Even when things are not going as planned, you just have to trust the process. I just kept
going at it and trying to get the best out of every situation.

My Nigerian heritage has helped a lot because it kept me in check by letting me remain
disciplined, doing what I have to do, when I have to do it, and getting it done at the right time.

Who are the players or mentors that significantly influenced your development as a
basketball player?

I would say it always changes because when I started playing basketball I was looking up to
Michael Jordan. Everyone really liked him. It was MJ here and there.

Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were my top 3. When I started growing
into the game, I started having so many other people like Hakeem Olajunwon, Chris Webber,
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the list keeps growing.

Right now, I can just say a lot of players inspired me. Getting to hear their stories, see how
they do things, be myself and try to pick one or two things from them.

Everyone’s story just motivate and inspire me to keep getting better.

The documentary highlights your deep love for basketball; can you share a specific
moment or experience that solidified your passion for the sport?

I would say the specific moment was when we played the NBA Academy games in Atlanta
and we won the Championship.

It was really fun, being there and playing with my brothers. It was a fun moment, we just
came in and did what we had to do, which was do our best to be successful. I really enjoyed
that moment.

Tell us about your current season with the Washington State Cougars?

It’s good, you know, moving around with new people, new teammates, getting to know and
playing with each other has been really good. I’m enjoying every bit of it.

Two beautiful seasons so far and we are looking forward to the future. We just have to keep
working hard and see what the future has in stock for us.

How difficult was the transition from the NBA Academy to the game in college?

It wasn’t that difficult because the setting in the NBA Academy is quite similar to that of the
college. Being in school and practising may be a little different, but it wasn’t difficult because
I was used to similar things before.

When I was in Senegal, I was doing US based online classes. It was quite different, but I
won’t say it was difficult. It’s something I’m used to, the system and the programme.

It’s really nice because It gave me a good standing and I have a good foundation laid out for
me.

How is life in Washington compared to Lagos?

It’s quite different here, everyone is nice here, the weather too is cold and is a really nice
place.

A lot of people want to know you here, be your friend. It’s quite different from Lagos. You
know Lagos is always busy, it’s different but still good.

Do you have any ambition of playing for the Washington Wizards?

I don’t have an answer for that at the moment. We are looking forward to the season and see
how it goes. When it’s due time, it’s due time.

I just want to focus on the present, and when we get to that bridge, we will cross it. Once it is
time, it will happen. I’m just thinking about the present and making the best out of it.

What is your ultimate dream in this sport?

My ultimate dream is to play at the highest level, that’s the NBA. I also want to be an
inspiration and try to help people in Africa, create awareness and make a difference.

There are a lot of talented players in Africa, not just in Nigeria. If I can give them the
opportunity to show their skills, I would give them an opportunity. That’s my dream and that’s
my plan.

I want to put Africa on the map, showcase to the world that there are talented players in
Africa. That’s the ultimate goal for me.
Do you have any ambition of representing Nigeria?

I have done that before, I played in a World Cup qualifier. There is nothing greater than
representing your country. I always want to defend my country.

Which player do you model your game after?

I just try to pick different things from different players, but i would say Akeem Olajunwon,
Chris Webber and Giannis.

I watched Giannis a lot and see what he does that is good for him and can work for me too.

Lastly, is there a specific message or advice you would like to share with other young
people?

My message is be yourself, trust yourself because no one will believe in you if you don’t
believe in yourself. Then most importantly, trust the process.