ISRAEL Otobo first encountered the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as a fan. The 19-year-old Nigerian forward remembers watching Season 3 of The BAL for the first time at a restaurant in Nigeria. That moment gave him some food for thought… He imagined himself being part of what is becoming one of the greatest basketball shows in Africa.
“I remember thinking, ‘This league is so huge and I would love to play in it one day’,” said the Nigerian international.
His wish to play in the BAL would come true, albeit outside the confines of his homeland. In a couple of weeks (March 9), Otobo and Burundi’s Dynamo Basketball Club will participate in the expanded BAL’s Kalahari Conference, tipping off at the Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Otobo discusses his young professional career, the Road to BAL qualifiers and the team’s preparation for Season 4 of the BAL.
Otobo’s journey with Dynamo began unexpectedly. It followed an unsuccessful season with the local men’s side Nigeria Customs. They lost to the Kwara Falcons in the 2022 Nigerian Premier League finals, resulting in them losing out on a BAL ticket. Although the team’s season ended on a sad note, Otobo credits his senior teammates for helping ease his nerves. They made his first experience in the league a good one.
Following his performance there, he received a call-up to represent Nigeria at the World Cup Qualifiers, where he caught the eye of Dynamo BBC. The Burundian club promptly began negotiations, which proved fruitful, and Otobo would be on his way to East Africa.
Otobo had no prior knowledge of the club and Burundi, but he took the leap of faith and was determined to help Dynamo achieve their domestic and continental ambitions.
“When I first came in, I didn’t know anybody,” recalls Otobo. “I had no reputation, so I had to start from scratch by proving myself, while also trying to figure out how we would win the league.”
Thankfully for Otobo and Dynamo, the leap of faith paid off as they beat former Champions Urunani to claim their first Championship since 2018 and secured themselves a spot in last year’s the Road to BAL qualifiers.
View this post on Instagram
Their Road To BAL Division East journey began in Tanzania, and following a second-place finish in the regional qualifiers, a season-saving wild card sent Dynamo to the Elite 16 in Johannesburg. They eventually secured the last ticket after a close victory over Madagascar’s COSPN in the third-place game. The Hulk-like Otobo averaged 14 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, which helped Dynamo’s qualification efforts.
“We made it through the first stage (of the Road to BAL), but things got more challenging in South Africa,” said Otobo. “There were some difficulties, but I had faith in my team and believed we could overcome them. Thank God, we did.”
Otobo credits his team’s success in the tournament to their fighting spirit and level of self-belief. He says, “Although people did not believe in us, we had faith in ourselves and each other. We all understood our roles, stuck to the plan, and supported one another. This kept us going and enabled us to achieve our goal of securing the ticket.”
Reflecting on the last game against COSPN, where he fouled out, Otobo expressed his disappointment at not finishing the game. He felt he could have helped his team in the crucial moments.
“I fouled out doing my job, and I did my best. So did my team, till the very end, and that is how we were able to get the job done.”
The journey to success had its hardships, but Otobo has learned invaluable lessons from his former teammates, Chris Obekpa and Deshaun Morman, which he will carry into Season 4. “The leadership that they brought to the team showed me how to conduct myself as a professional.”
Dynamo has made big moves in preparation for the BAL. These include acquiring the services of former COSPN head coach, Julian Chaignot, dynamite guard Dhieu Deing and forwards Makhtar Gueye and Ryan Richards.
Otobo says their practices have been challenging as the competition draws closer.
“Training camp has been intense and hard. We have some new guys too, and they are also adjusting,” says Otobo. “Everything is going well. We are getting to know each other more as we build our team spirit and chemistry.”
His focus for the next couple of weeks is preparing for the moment he wished for since watching the BAL in that restaurant in Nigeria.
He and his Dynamo teammates will do battle against Kalahari Conference hosts Cape Town Tigers in the last game of the opening night.
“We have never been to the BAL, so we do not know what to expect. One thing I know is we are going to give everything we have,” says Otobo. “We will not fear any opponent. We going to fight in every single game and give our best.”
The change in scenery has elevated Otobo’s career, and in a few weeks, he will have a chance to show out on the big stage.
