NGR - Olympics a family affair for Udoka

ANTANANARIVO (FIBA Africa Championship) – At 34 years of age, Nigerian Ime Udoka still has a spring in his step, in spite of having played top European club basketball, in NBA playoffs and at a FIBA World Championship. His experience combined with unwavering hunger and enthusiasm for the game, are a coach’s dream.

In Nigeria’s Afrobasket Quarter Final against the Central African Republic, Udoka played 35 minutes, scoring 20 points and securing 7 rebounds, to help his team secure a 94-86 victory and set up a Semi-Final place.

FIBA caught up with Udoka, to discuss Nigeria’s latest victory, and the country’s chances of booking a place at the London Olympic Games.

FIBA: Congratulations on your win. You made your life a little difficult by letting them get back in the game in the fourth quarter?
Ime Udoka: We played a great first three quarters, but the final quarter we kind of fell apart. They were the aggressor like we had been the first part of the game and put us back on our heels a little.

They hit some big shots, some three-pointers to get themselves back in the game. The game is a game of momentum and runs and they had a big run at the end. This was the first time we were really tested and we feel we faced the adversity well and got an eight point win.

FIBA: Do you think it might help you in your next games having had at least one really tough game?
Udoka: I think so, we know it isn’t going to be easy and you need some pressure situations every now and then.

We know it’s not going to be easy and this one was harder than it should have been but down the line we’re gonna have pressure situations in close games, either against Cameroon or Angola or whoever it may be, so this one was a good one to get tested in and we feel we passed with flying colours to get it back to eight after having been down one.

It shouldn’t have been that close, but we’ll take the win.

FIBA: You’re in the Quarter Finals now, which means that one more win, in whichever game, will ensure you at least qualify to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, is this something you think about?
Udoka: The end goal is to get to the Olympics. Obviously we’re not thinking about second or third or anything like that.

We’re taking it one game at a time and I haven’t looked ahead to see who we’re playing. We’ll look at our next game and that opponent and so on. It’s all about finishing in first place and getting that top spot.

We don’t want to put ourselves in a position where we have to go and qualify in some other tournament. We feel we have the team to do it here and we’re gonna be successful.

FIBA: You’ve been playing for your country for some years now, you played in the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but have yet to play in the Olympics…
Udoka: The World Championship was great, but the Olympics are a dream. I’ve accomplished a lot in my career, many of the goals I have set, so to go to the Olympics would be the icing on the cake. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world.

To represent Nigeria, to be able to walk out at the opening ceremony – my sister’s been there with the team in Athens and she told me all about the experience – it would be a dream come true. That’s what we are striving for, that is why we are working hard every day.

FIBA: Has your sister described what it was like for her in Athens?
Udoka: She said the experience was unlike anything she’s ever done. I’ve been in the NBA, she’s played in the WNBA, we’ve been all over the world and played big games, but she said that there’s nothing like it.

To see all the different teams, athletes, all the sporting events from every country playing against the best from every country on a grand stage is something else. We are looking forward to getting to London next year.

What would it mean to you to play at the Olympics?
Udoka: It would mean a great deal, it would mean a lot to my father who has passed away, to his memory, so I’m striving to get there and make Nigeria proud.

FIBA