Hermes Shares His Basketball Journey After Visa Denial

Ex-BBNaija star Hermes Iyele stays close to basketball even after finding fame in the entertainment world. In this chat with Abiodun Adewale, he talks about his basketball dreams, his admiration for LeBron James, and his plans to help grow the sport in Nigeria.

I started playing basketball to earn a scholarship abroad. I got the scholarship, but the visa didn’t come through. I kept playing, and after Big Brother Naija, I had the chance to work with the NBA in Nigeria. Even though I had my own basketball plan, basketball had other plans for me. Now, I am still making an impact in the sports scene in Nigeria. I believe nothing is wasted because that is what basketball taught me. I continue to play because I really love the game. I still hit the court every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s a routine for me.

When I get the ball, I just play. I usually play small forward, but at my height, I should be a guard or point guard. I have been doing well as a small forward, so it works for me.

On the court, they call me Jordan because of my playing style. I always push through and get the job done.

Things might have been different if I had gone abroad to play and study. Right now, playing professionally would need me to train for about a year. If I get that chance, I am ready. I will hit the gym and shape up to compete at that level. If the opportunity comes, I will grab it.

Basketball and dancing share footwork. Since I dance well, it helps my basketball skills. Playing feels like dancing to me; they are quite similar.

I am Team LeBron. Whichever team he is on, that’s who I support.

I wasn’t surprised when he was likely to leave the Lakers after last season. I didn’t know where he would go, though. His move to the Philadelphia 76ers caught me off guard. That’s the team I back now.

Nigerian basketball can improve a lot. I say this because there is a lot of fighting and disagreements. There is so much more to achieve, and the players are not benefiting enough. They need better support because basketball can engage the youth. It’s not just about basketball; it’s about sports overall.

I am already doing my part. Many of my friends host camps, and we try to make them easy to join. I feel like the private sector wants to help, but there needs to be good cooperation with the government. The government must provide the support needed. These changes can make a big difference. Many people in basketball wonder how they can make money from it. They want to play, but most don’t even have proper shoes.

I played football, which is popular in Nigeria, and I also enjoyed table tennis. I was into many sports, but basketball captured my heart.