Hoops & Read’s first season in the Kwese Premier Basketball league can be described as that of a fairy tale.
The Lagos based side gained promotion into the league for the first time after two attempts and have since been a giant killer beating big names in the Atlantic Conference.
The team succeeded in defeating Conference leaders, Kwara Falcons, Rivers Hoopers and Nigeria Customs during the regular season of the 2016/2017.
The Charles Oso-led team are third on the Atlantic Conference log and have qualified for the Conference 6 play offs scheduled to hold on 14-18 August.
Owned by former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji has impacted the game of basketball in the lives of Nigerian youths through camps and clinics.
Oyedeji told ACLSports.com his aim of setting up a basketball team in the Nigeria elite league is to get the youths off the streets and give them hope of a better tomorrow.
“The aim is to put the young boys in school. The theme is “Education makes you super, talent makes you a star.” Education plus talent make you a super star,”he said.
“65% percent of my players are students , graduates, post graduates, undergraduates and 35% are intending students,” said Oyedeji.
“We are the youngest team in the league. Our aim is for them to go to school and play basketball because there is always life after basketball. I want the boys to develop mentally, socially, emotionally and intellectually.”
“Getting them off the streets with the use of Basketball as a tool.
The former NBA player is not too pleased with his team’s performance. He said more could still done by his young team despite playing in their debut season.
“I am proud but not satisfied because I know they can do better we are not trying to win the league but I expect them to get the job done and do what they are supposed to do. We have lost some games we ought not to lose.”
“There is nothing wrong wanting them to do well in the league even though it’s their first time in the league,” he said .
Oyedeji believes motivation and commitment have been key factors to their performance so far this season.
“Treat players the way they should be treated because it plays a key role in a player’s performance. I am always a pace setter and that’s how I want things to be for my team.” he submitted.
