The UNICS signing discusses similarities between Russian and Canadian culture, basketball video games and the most important person in his life.
– UNICS is off to a good start. Did you expect two comfortable wins to open the season?
– It’s difficult to guess how one game or another will go. But we are very happy that we were able to do everything we had planned in the first two games.
– Your team had almost everyone available for the entire preseason. Do you think that gave you an advantage over other teams?
– I don’t know if that’s the case. Over the long term, improving team chemistry definitely has a positive impact on the team, especially in the postseason. Once we get to know each other better, we’ll click even more on the court.
– How would you describe the atmosphere on the team?
– It’s awesome. Everybody gets along: players, coaches, staff. I talk with everybody, everyone’s great! I’m glad I joined UNICS.
– Why did you choose UNICS?
– UNICS is a team with history. They’ve played in the EuroLeague and Eurocup and finished 2nd in the VTB United League. This is a new challenge for me. I’ve got a real opportunity to play on a team with the best players in Europe and gain a ton of experience.
– Did you talk to your college teammates Chris Babb and Will Clyburn before moving to Russia?
– Yeah, I told them as soon as I had an offer from Kazan. It’s awesome to play in the same league as my friends. I think that factor also made UNICS a more attractive option for continuing my career.
– There are a lot of former NBA players in the VTB United League this season. Is that a good sign for the League?
– Absolutely! There were plenty of European stars in the VTB United League last season. There’s more this year. Almost every team, including UNICS, brings in players with a lot of experience in various league.
– Do you see yourself as a star in the VTB United League?
– I don’t want to draw any preliminary conclusions. You need to prove you’re a star on the court, especially since I care more about team goals than individual goals. I want to help my team return to the EuroLeague.
– Everybody’s afraid of the cold in Russia. Are you ready for winter?
– I’m not afraid of the cold. I was born in Canada. People say the climates are pretty similar. We’ll see soon if that’s true.
– What was the biggest surprise when you arrived in Russia?
– I was here a few years ago for the Universiade. Everything amazed me. It was a different world for me then: the people, culture, food, nature. There are a lot of differences.
– Kazan is regarded as one of Russia’s most beautiful cities. Have you had a chance to see the sights?
– Kazan really is a great city. There are a lot of interesting things to do, but so far I’ve only seen the sights from the window of a bus. I hope when we get a break between games, I’ll have a chance to visit the Kremlin and other historic places and get to know them better.
– Have you tried any Russian cuisine yet?
– Yes, I’ve tried plenty, including vodka. I’ll be honest – I was pleasantly surprised! I think I’ll try some traditional Tatar cuisine soon too.
– You had a chance to play for either Nigeria or Canada. Why did you choose Canada?
– Canada chose the right direction to develop basketball. The national team is betting on young players and I wanted to be part of the process. The Canadian national team has a bright future. There are a lot of talented players in the NBA and Europe, so I don’t regret my decision.
– Who was your idol as a kid?
– I loved watching Hakeem Olajuwon and Steve Nash play. Hakeem is from Nigeria. His arsenal on offense was unbelievable, especially at the time. Just think of the Dream Shake. I liked Nash because of his passing and understanding of the game.
– Is Steve Nash a hero in Canadian basketball?
– Definitely! He wasn’t just a trailblazer. He also helped a lot of young players become who they are today. He’s a great person, a great teacher and a great player.
– Hockey is still the number one sport in Canada. Do you follow it?
– I just follow the scores during the NHL regular season. I know that my team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are in 1st place right now in their conference. I try to watch the playoffs, though. They can be very unpredictable and exciting.
– Do you have favorite teams in every North American league?
– Yeah, I love sports. I’m a fan of the Toronto teams in basketball, hockey and baseball: Raptors (NBA), Maple Leafs (NHL) and Blue Jays (MLB). There aren’t any Canadian teams in the NFL, so I cheer for the Atlanta Falcons.
– Soccer is really popular in Russia and the World Cup will be here next year. Will you be in the stands cheering on Nigeria?
– I’d love to go to their games. I hope I can make it to at least one, especially since it’s possible Nigeria will play in Kazan.
– You played in the Summer League in 2015 and 2016. Why didn’t you do it this year?
– We had a really long season, which didn’t end until the end of June. We had an intense final series in the Italian league, plus we made it to the Final Four of the Champions League. Those two events were a good replacement for the Summer League.
– Are you still hoping to make the NBA?
– My goal is to play at the highest level, no matter which league I’m in. Of course, any player would love to compete in the NBA, but right now I’m focused on achieving success with UNICS.
– Do you stay in touch with Fred Hoibert, who coached you at Iowa State, and coaches the Bulls now?
– Yes, we text every once in a while. I pay attention to his coaching career in the NBA and always love seeing him in person. We had a great team in college. A lot of us are still friends and lots of guys play in Europe. Some are still in school.
– Do you play basketball video games?
– Yeah, sometimes. I try play as the Toronto Raptors, like any Canadian kid. I also like playing for the teams with Canadians on them: Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Ennis, Tristan Thompson and Kelly Olynyk.
– What rating would you give yourself in NBA2K18?
– Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t worry about that stuff. If I was on the game, I wouldn’t care what rating I had.
– What else do you like to do in your free time?
– I like playing on my PlayStation, not just basketball. There are a lot of good games right now. I also like reading motivational books or autobiographies. They make me look differently at the world. Movies, TV shows, music – I like that stuff too.
– Who’s your favorite actor and favorite musician?
– I really respect Denzel Washington and Kevin Spacey. I can’t pick between them. As for music, that’s easy: Drake. He’s also Canadian and loves basketball.
– Who is your idol?
– My mom. She’s a kind, genuine, patient person. She supported me in every situation and helped me achieve everything I dreamed of as a kid. If not for mom, I probably wouldn’t be giving this interview. I really appreciate everything she’s done for me.
