Josh Okogie Part 2: Kevin Durant, Team USA, Nigerian National Team, Jimmy Butler & Giving Back - One54 Africa

Josh Okogie joins One54 Africa for a conversation about his Nigerian roots, NBA journey, basketball career, Nigerian culture, and representing Nigeria on the international stage. The Nigerian American NBA veteran and Utah Jazz player opens up about his identity, growing up between Nigerian and American cultures, and why returning to Nigeria helped him embrace his heritage with confidence. Josh Okogie reflects on his first trip back to Nigeria after leaving as a child, reconnecting with family, visiting Lagos, Abuja and his village, and traveling across different parts of the country while playing for the Nigerian national team. He also talks Nigerian food, including jollof rice, garri, meat pies, chin chin, puff puff and assorted meats, along with his family’s influence and the challenges of maintaining a Nigerian diet during an NBA season. The conversation then turns to Josh Okogie’s childhood and how basketball became his passion. He explains how his older brother’s basketball goal introduced him to the game, his first dunk in eighth grade, and the moment he realized he could take basketball beyond high school. Okogie discusses playing for Chris Paul’s AAU team, competing against some of the best young players in the country, and how those experiences changed his mindset about reaching the NBA. Josh Okogie also shares his college experience at Georgia Tech, his decision to leave college after two seasons for the NBA, and the importance of trusting his opportunity. He reflects on learning from Chris Paul, eventually becoming his teammate in Phoenix, and the full-circle experience of going from being mentored by CP3 as a young player to sharing an NBA locker room with him. They explore Okogie’s NBA career, his versatility as a two-way player, joining the Utah Jazz, and his perspective on the evolution of NBA positions and basketball. He discusses Utah Jazz history, John Stockton and Karl Malone, while also sharing stories about meeting Nigerian basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon and studying Hakeem’s famous Dream Shake. Okogie recalls playing against Jaylen Brown in high school in an unforgettable triple-overtime game and explains why he believes Jaylen Brown is often misunderstood. He also discusses Jimmy Butler, his rookie-season experience in Minnesota, and what he learned from Butler’s approach to basketball and leadership. The conversation ultimately returns to Nigeria and Okogie’s decision to represent the Nigerian national team after previously playing for USA Basketball. He explains how he switched his international basketball eligibility, played for Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, and experienced the unique bond of playing alongside other Nigerian players. Okogie was also part of the Nigerian team that stunned Kevin Durant and Team USA in a memorable exhibition victory in Las Vegas. Josh Okogie closes by discussing the Okogie Family Foundation, giving back to children and underserved communities, his annual community carnival in Snellville, Georgia, and his desire to use basketball as a tool to mentor young people and help the next generation.