Oguchi eager for US Olympic rematch and to promote basketball in Nigeria

WLOCLAWEK (AfroBasket 2015) - A lot has changed for good in Chamberlain Oguchi's basketball career.

He went from sitting out the last two seasons - including AfroBasket 2013 - to being crowned the Most Valuable Player of AfroBasket 2015 and rejoining Anwil Wloclawek in Poland's topflight Tauron Basket Liga.

As the new club season moves on, he looks at helping his side reach the post-season, promote the game in Nigeria, but he can't hide the enthusiasm regarding the prospect of playing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

As well as helping Nigeria win a first-ever African continental title this past August in Tunisia by beating Angola 74-65 in the Final, the 29-year-old shooting guard gave himself a chance of playing in the Olympics for the second time in a row as the team secured the only automatic berth on offer for African teams.

But, more importantly for Oguchi is the legacy that the continental title could bring to Nigerian basketball, which trails football as the country's most popular sport.

"We wanted to raise awareness to the sport in Nigeria, and that was a good way that we were able to do that," he told FIBA.com.

The 1.98m guard, who has represented Nigeria on several occasions, feels the Western African country should keep the momentum and take the game to the next level, something that should have started earlier.

Back, in 2013, Oguchi travelled with the team to Abidjan. However, just before the tournament tipped off he was informed of his ineligibility.

There was not much Nigeria could do to turn things around and avoid a disappointing seventh-place finish as Oguchi joined two injured players, Richard Oruche and Andy Ogide.

"It feels great to be able to come back and do this, and enjoy the moment, it is just a testament that hard work pays off, and dreams do come true," he noted.

"My absence was one of the reasons for our failure.

"I hope that my story will help other players avoid similar circumstances.

"At the time [2013], we promised that we would do everything in our power to win the African Championship because Nigeria is the best team in Africa and it was about time to show it."

In Tunisia, Oguchi stepped up at his best, lifting Nigeria when it mattered most.

First, he made 24 of his 28 points from beyond the arc to deny Senegal in the Semi-Final, then he disrupted the Angolan defensive game in the Championship game with 19 points, just be named the tournament MVP.

"It's great to be able to be crowned [a] two-time Olympian, it's an honour," he noted.

The 29-year-old also paid tribute to Ike Diogu, the team captain who sat out the entire tournament due to a leg injury.

"Even though he didn't play, his tremendous presence in the locker room was great. I dedicate everything to him," he explained.

"As a great leader he really challenged me, he really challenged the whole team."

Now, it is all about gearing up for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Nine teams are already qualified, including the USA, Spain, Lithuania, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and China.

Meanwhile, Nigeria don't keep good memories of facing the world champions, especially after conceding an Olympian record 156-73 to the USA.

Still, Oguchi, who featured in that contest in the British capital says, they would do things differently if they are to face to the Olympic reigning champions.

“It’s a game that we would like to play again,” he said to Polish website Przeglad Sportowy.

“They played their best game, while we played our worst one.

I hope to face the USA again in Rio Olympics - Oguchi

Until then, Oguchi will continue to build his name in Poland.

FIBA