How Football Led Michael Eric to Basketball Success

D’Tigers assistant captain and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Michael Eric shares his journey into basketball, lessons from his late father, Nigeria’s FIBA World Cup qualifying and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO

How did you start playing basketball?

I wasn’t really into basketball at first. I loved football like many kids in Nigeria. My father, Joseph Eric, played football and later coached. But after I had a growth spurt as a teenager, I went to the United States to stay with my older brother, Stephen. That’s when I started to play basketball. My friend, Gbenga Jetawo, and my coach, Chris Nomigo, helped me develop a love for the game. Eventually, I got a scholarship to Temple University in Philadelphia, and the Cleveland Cavaliers signed me in 2013.

Tell us more about the basketball camp you run and what inspired it.

While having fun, I want kids to know this could be a chance of a lifetime. I aim to bring that idea to my country and my neighborhood. It's not very big yet, but one day, I hope to create a pathway for kids to chase their basketball dreams, while also focusing on education. That is the aim of this camp.

As assistant captain of the D’Tigers, what would you like to see change about how the game is developed in Nigeria, from the grassroots upward?

We need the right resources, like good facilities, proper gear, and fitness training. That’s the main difference between us and European academies that produce players drafted at 17 or 18. We already have the talent in Nigeria. We have the height, natural ability, athleticism, and determination, but we lack resources. I want to help create more resources so these kids have hope to keep pushing.

The D’Tigers have another window to qualify for the World Cup. What are you looking for this time?

Things look promising. We have a better group of players, even though we worked with a good team before. Coach David Fitzdale has a clear vision for this new group. There are so many Nigerian players that it’s hard to choose, but he is doing a great job putting the right team together. Our goal is to win all three games we play to qualify easily.

How much longer do you see yourself playing?

I am getting close to the end. Age is just a number, but it sometimes signals the right time. This year will be my 15th year playing professional basketball, so after this season, I might consider retiring.

What have been the biggest lessons you learnt from your father, Joseph Eric?

He always reminded me it is not just about me. He said I have a purpose and my talent is a gift from God. I should use it to help others and inspire those around me. Anyone who met him felt that inspiration, even at the airport. He always encouraged others to improve their lives and be there for someone else. I take that message seriously. I have enjoyed my basketball journey, but I also want to come back home and make sure I inspire kids by playing and giving back.

What message do you have for other Nigerian sportsmen abroad, in relation to what you are doing?

Come back home. Home is where the heart is. America or wherever else we live is nice, but we need to return and impact our neighborhoods. That is where we truly belong. I am proud of where I come from. I was born and raised here. Even though I have spent half my life in America, Nigeria is still home for me. My family and friends are here. I encourage my fellow players to come back and spend time here because it’s worth it. This is where the heart is. I have an eight-year-old daughter in the U.S. with my wife. She is already five feet tall, and I plan to bring her to Nigeria for the first time next year to see where I grew up.

Why does it matter so much to you that former players give back this way?

We need our former players to return and work in their communities. This will help inspire the younger generation to dream big. It means a lot that the kids we want to reach now understand the importance of graduating and earning a degree. They show up ready to improve, and that brings me joy.

Why do you place so much emphasis on education alongside basketball?

At the end of the day, basketball is just a way to improve your life. Education is important because basketball careers can be short. Whether your career lasts long or not, education helps you speak up and elevate yourself in any field. This is what education has done for me. We also encourage parents to support their kids academically alongside basketball. The gap between education and sports is still there because some parents don’t see the value in sports. But you can't force a child into something they do not want. You have to support the child’s overall development.