SHARON Ogharanduku has four roles to fulfil: being a counsellor, a wife, motherhood, and playing basketball. She says having a supportive family has helped her maintain the balance she needs. Being married in basketball is also a bonus for Ogharanduku – she described her husband, former Rivers Hoopers player Precious Saliu, as a pillar of support.
“My partner is really supportive. His family is also the same. When I travel for games, they stay with the kids. They have backed and encouraged me even when I wanted to let it (basketball) go – they reminded me how much I loved it,” said the 30-year-old.
Her love affair with the game goes way back and she has fond memories of her first big breakthrough. She remembers being a part of Nigeria’s U18 AfroBasket in 2010. That year, Ogharanduku and the J’Tigress had a finals appearance and a ticket to the 2011 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Sadly, that trip did not happen for the J’Tigress team. “We were not able to get our visas on time for the trip to Chile. We were at the airport, but it did not happen,” recalled Ogharanduku.
The experience was life-changing for Ogharanduku and her teammates. She says it was at the 2010 continental tournament that she realised that basketball was part of her life’s calling.
“It was another level of basketball for us. It showed us that we could compete. That was also the year I decided to pursue basketball as a career,” said the Ogharanduku. “I felt I could do this (play basketball). I also had a scholarship opportunity to study in America – unfortunately, I could not get a visa to travel.
“It also opened doors for many of us. Only a few of us are still in Nigeria – and all of us are doing one or two things successfully through basketball. Also, every one of us pursued an education.”
While basketball remained a passion for Ogharanduku, she chose not to confine herself to the game. She also understood the value of education and the avenues it could open for her.
“I did not have the target of going pro – I wanted to go to school. As I said, before I had the opportunity to go and study in the United States, but that did not happen,” said Ogharanduku.
She expressed her disappointment at losing out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – she had to pick herself up and find a plan B.
“I was a kid at the time, so yes, I was a little discouraged. But I knew I had to go to school. It did not matter where or how. I needed something to make me stand out,” said Ogharanduku. “I know all the great players are professional in one thing or another… That is why I decided to go to school in Nigeria and study to become a counsellor. In my final year, I got back to playing again.”
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After a stint with 2023 Women’s Premier League Champions Nigeria Customs, the floor general joined the new team on the block Royal Aces. Ogharanduku refers to herself as one of the veteran players and mentors the youngsters on the team. She acceded to the request of her coach to move from primary ball handler to being a power forward. However, this request was a shock to her system, given that she lacked the height for the position.
“I am one of the older players in the team. The younger players look up to me. They look to me and other vets for guidance on the court,” said the former Customs player. “I was a point guard in the team, but the coach converted me and explained that the team needed some experience in that department.
“I was like ‘Really coach, I have never played at the four… Also, I don’t have the size for that position.'”
Ogharanduku says her coach stuck to his guns on the position switch. “He was adamant and said, ‘Sharon, you are not as skinny as you used to be. You are a mom now – you can handle this,'” said the mother of two. “So, I have brought my motherly role into basketball. It has helped a great deal. The good thing is that my teammates are also ready to learn. When you are with teammates that want to cooperate with you it’s easier.”
Ogharanduku and her Royal Aces teammates are in tandem ahead of their Final 8 of the Women’s Premier Basketball League. Four games in the Final 8 phase (10-13 October) stand between the Aces and a place in the semi-finals in Lagos. The veteran treaded on caution when discussing her team’s chances of winning the league.
“I would say we are 100 per cent ready. By God’s grace, we hope to triumph. We are a new team finding its feet. Yes, what we have achieved was above expectation,” said Ogharanduku. “… Because we have gotten this far, everyone sees us. We are also hungry, which is good. We have one another’s backs because we have the same goal. That is what will push us.”
Ogharanduku’s story is one of community, overcoming disappointment and starting afresh and all these elements she has brought to the Aces team also trying to defy the odds.
