Three young basketball players Joseph Nnamuchi, Iceson Ehijator and Demba Jawo who hails from Gambia, have bagged scholarships to study and play the game in the United States of America all thanks to Organized Basketball Network (OBN).
This was announced at a press conference held at the OBN Academy, Ajah, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Present at the press conference were founder and CEO of OBN Academy and former NBA Star Obinna Okezie, Noella Ekezie who is the Director, Global Brand and Marketing, OBN Academy, the three awardees and some coaches at the academy.
According to Ekezie, the awardees would be schooling at the Archdiocese of Louisville Desales High School, Kentucky, USA.
He disclosed that while the duo of Ehijator and Nnamuchi bagged a three-year scholarship, Jawo earned a two-year scholarship.
Speaking at the event, Ekezie said: “Our academy goal is to develop the best young basketball players in Nigeria and Africa. We give them the opportunity to esrm scholarship to US high schools and eventually US colleges to play basketball and further their education.
“We are here to present to our three basketball players, Joseph, Demba and Iceson, their scholarships from our partner school Archbishop Diocese of Louisville, Desales High School, Louisville Kentucky.
“This three players have been worked on for several months now and they’ve worked extremely hard to develop their basketball skills, physical built, much more stronger players now, much more athletic which has given them the opportunity to earn this scholarship. By God’s grace they will be playing for this school next year which means the next school year which starts August 2022.“
According to Nnamuchi, he described the scholarship as a huge opportunity for him to realize his basketball dream.
He said: “For me this is big opportunity. Working hard is the best and I will surely put in my best over there to realize my basketball dreams.”
And one of OBN Academy coaches, Aliu Ogunrinde said: “The journey with this players have been fine and I’m proud of their achievement. I hope they represent us well over there.”
