March 29, 2024

ExposAfrica Magazine

Let's Expose Africa Together

 By Clinton Efe Akporherhe

Micheal Oluwaseun Eric wasn’t always 6ft 11, weigh 109kg nor play for one of the biggest basketball teams in Turkey. In fact, he wanted nothing with basketball while growing up.  As a young Lagosian in Nigeria, all he ever craved for was to read his school books and pass his exams.  He loved studying and did away with anything that could distract his attention including basketball.    Micheal’s sojourn into the world of sports started in 2004 when he visited his brother who resided in the United States.

Seeing his younger brother’s potential to make the NBA, Stephen encouraged and pushed him to pursue basketball, even refusing to let him return to Nigeria at the time. That decision proved to be a turning point in Micheal’s life. Enrolling at Caesar Rohney high school in Delaware and later transferring to Church farm school in Exton, Pennsylania. Eric began his enviable career in basketball.

He had a fine start in high school, averaging 19 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in the 2006-2007 season as a senior, eventually leading church farm to the championship. After being unable to play for the temple owls in the 2007-08 season due to NCAA eligibility guidelines, Micheal eventually made his debut in 2009, averaging 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 27 games. He improved the next season averaging 7 rebounds and 3 assist in a 15.7 minutes per game ratio.

He became the temple’s co-captain in his junior year and performed fairly well in his senior year despite fracturing his right patella a couple of times. Micheal’s professional career started with being undrafted for the 2012 NBA draft and although this was ultimately disappointing, he refused to give up. His relentlessness was later rewarded when the Cleveland Cavaliers signed him for the NBA summer league.

He eventually went on to play for top NBA teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, 76ers, Golden state warriors, Texas legends, Washington wizards, amongst other top teams in Europe like Panelefsiniakos of the Greek basket league, Enel brindisi of Italy, AEK Athens, Bilboa Baskets, and kirolbel baskonia. Micheal has made the west all-star team for the 2016 NBA D-league All-star game and earned an NBA D-League All – defensive team honors. He currently plays for Türk Telecom of the Turkish super league and the Nigerian National team. He is doing his best and we are proud of how far he has come. Keep balling Micheal! Thanks for making Nigeria proud.

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