The 'enriched life' of Nigeria star Champ Oguchi

BAJA CALIFORNIA (Rio Olympics 2016/FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Chamberlain Oguchi is enormously proud to have represented Nigeria in international basketball.

There have been some difficult moments, but many more positive ones. Oguchi has played with D'Tigers at the past two Olympics, and he's also been an AfroBasket MVP, doing so in 2015 with one of the most memorable performances on the continent for a long time. Oguchi, who is now playing for Soles de Mexicali, has spoken to FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: How many different countries have you played professionally in and how has that impacted your life?
Oguchi: If I remember correctly, I've played professionally in 10 different countries, none being better or worse than the other. I believe it has enriched my life by allowing me to travel the world and experience different cultures, people, and things that I never knew existed. In other words, it broadened my horizons.

FIBA.com: What has been the impact of playing for Nigeria on your career, and your life?
Oguchi: Having been a member of the Nigerian senior men's national team since 2005, it has been instrumental in my development as a player and person. Aside from allowing me a world platform to display my talents, playing for D'Tigers has given me a sense of national pride that I never knew I possessed. To be able to represent your forefathers is a special honor, and the brotherhood established along the way is priceless.

FIBA.com: Do you anticipate the majority of the Nigeria roster remaining the same as you go after a second straight FIBA AfroBasket title? How important is that tournament for Nigeria to solidify its standing as the best team in Africa?
Oguchi: For as long as I've been a member of the Nigerian national team, no team has been the same from one year to the next. I would hope for the team to remain as consistent as possible, but I likewise embrace any additions to the roster.

FIBA.com: Shane Lawal hopes that Nigeria will host the World Cup in 2023 - would that capture the imagination of sports fans in Nigeria? Is it feasible, or realistic, for the country to organize something of that magnitude?
Oguchi: Shane Lawal is one of Nigeria basketball's biggest visionaries as he has great aspirations and expectations for Nigeria. Quiet as kept, Nigerians love basketball. Should Nigeria host the 2023 World Cup it would be an amazing event. I believe it is feasible if the appropriate people were delegated to help organize and carry out such an event. I’m sure Shane Lawal, the Aminu brothers, Ike Diogu, myself, and others could come up with some brilliant strategies if given the opportunity.

FIBA.com: Why is D'Tigers coach Will Voigt such a good fit for Nigeria? Is it vital to keep him involved?
Oguchi: Coach Voigt is a good fit for Nigeria basketball because of his humility and vast basketball knowledge. He embraces the Nigerian culture and people as if he had Nigerian blood in his veins. Along with that, coach Voigt possesses the tactical prowess that Nigeria basketball teams have historically lacked.

Will Voigt (left) was Nigeria's head coach at the Rio Olympics

FIBA.com: With the Olympics now done, you have had plenty of time to think about what happened. Are there any regrets? Did the positives of playing at the Olympics (for a second straight time) far outweigh the negatives that you experienced? Were you happy with how you played overall?
Oguchi: I personally don't have any regrets. I played my heart out for my country as well as the men beside me, and for that I hold no regrets. Without a doubt the positives outweighed the negatives during my 2016 Olympic experience. Although disappointed in the end result (Nigeria won once and lost four games), more often than not the journey tends to be more gratifying than the wins and losses. Considering that I'm my biggest and toughest critic, I'm rarely ever satisfied with my performances. However, that's what Tokyo 2020 is for.

FIBA