Tag Archives: Michael Ojo

Sport Today

Update: NBBF pays tribute to late Michael Ojo

Leave a comment
Advertisements

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has paid glowing tributes to former D’Tigers invitee, Michael Olalekan Ojo who died during a training session after suffering a heart attack.

“This is another flower that unexpectedly withered at such a time it was expected to start blossoming,” NBBF President, Engr Musa Kida said of the 27-year-old.

“After a sterling college career in the United States of America and after securing a professional deal in Belgrade, it is so sad that the basketball world has been robbed of this emerging talent who has been described as one of the tallest to play basketball in Serbia.”

The Federation’s Vice President, Babs Ogunade also said beautiful things about the late player.

“I met with him in February at the FIBA Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Serbia. I watched his match against Partizan Basketball. He was such a calm and unassuming personality.”

Advertisements

The North-Central Representative on the board, Isah Umah described the late centre, who won the 2019 Serbian Professional League with Crvena, as humble and hard-working.

Umar who was D’Tigers Team Manager when the team was preparing for the 2011 FIBA Afrobasket when Ojo was invited to the National team revealed that he was a true Nigerian who bled green and white.

“He was excited to be part of Team Nigeria and gave his best at such a young age. He did not make the final cut, but he was excited to have a chance to play for his fatherland.”

During the 2019–20 season, Ojo appeared in 22 EuroLeague games with Crvena Zvezda, averaging 4.1 points and 3 rebounds per game while appearing in about 108 games for his club before his untimely demise as teams were preparing for life after the Covid-19.

#Newsworthy…

Advertisement
Sport Today

27-year-old Nigerian Basketball player, Michael Ojo dies during training.

1 Comment
Advertisements

Michael Ojo, a Nigerian basketball player who previously played for Red Star Belgrade, died at the age of 27 during a training session in the Serbian capital on Friday, the club said.

“We are deeply saddened by the news”, Red Star’s spokesperson Igor Vujicin told Media (known to Noble Reporters Media).

The club couldn’t confirm the cause of death, but local media reported that Ojo suffered a heart attack.

Born in Lagos, the 2.16 metre (7ft 1in) centre played for Florida State University in the United States before coming to Europe to start his professional career.

After a stint with the Belgrade team FMP Zeleznik, he moved to European giants Red Star, where he spent two seasons, quickly becoming a fan favourite.

Advertisements

Ojo had been without a club since June 30 but was training in Belgrade.

This file photograph taken on March 16, 2017, shows Michael Ojo #50, then of the Florida State Seminoles, as he shoots for the basket in the second half against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Mike Ehrmann / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

His former team released a statement mourning the loss of the “cheerful giant”.

“The sudden and shocking death of Michael Ojo has deeply affected everyone — players, coaches and the management of a club that accepted him from the first day, and that he considered his own,” Red Star said.

EuroLeague also extended condolences to Ojo’s family, teammates, coaches, “and many fans who enjoyed his performances”.

#Newsworthy…