Six Players Earn Scholarships at Ajayi Elebire Basketball Camp

The fifth edition of the Ajayi Elebire Elite Basketball Camp wrapped up in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday. Six players earned scholarships. The state’s Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, praised the organisers for giving young people opportunities.

The four-day camp started with trials in Lagos. It brought together over 40 players from across Nigeria. They competed for scholarships and worked on their skills with coaches from Nigeria and the United States.

The programme concluded with an All-Star game at the Ekitikete Pavilion in Ado Ekiti.

Mr Falade, who was present at the closing events, said the camp could help keep young people away from crime. He believes engaging them in sports is a positive step.

“If you look at the rate of people that are involved in crime, they are youths. Engaging them in this sport takes them off the streets,” he said.

“And when somebody is engaged, you can never do otherwise; you have to do the right thing. Secondly, this is providing work because when you have the foundation, then there is no way you can miss it.”

Scott Adubato, one of the American coaches at the camp, and a former coach of the camp organiser, Olalekan Ajayi, praised the event. He said it gave talented players a chance to improve.

He explained that the coaching team worked closely with the players during the camp. They introduced different basketball principles to prepare them for the final game.

“The players were prepared every day. We worked on the training. We did everything we needed to teach them different principles of the game. They were very receptive. They played hard to the last game. And I think they earned everything that they earned, especially the MVP and the All-Star players. So, a thumbs up to the organisers,” he said.

Mr Ajayi shared that the camp was organised in honour of his father, Ajayi Elebire. He mentioned that his own basketball journey started with a similar camp where he was discovered.

He expressed gratitude to those who supported the initiative. He said the camp aims to help talented Nigerian players access opportunities they might not find locally.

“Every year we come here, we impact the lives of these Nigerian kids. We have, you know, a lot of talented players; we have five scholarships guaranteed. The sky is the limit. And this is a record call. The NBBF refused to do what they’re supposed to do to get the house in order and do what is good for Nigerians.

“People like me and the rest of them, we’re going to keep coming from America and get these players out of this country. To give them an opportunity that they refuse to provide for them.”

Six players received automatic scholarships at this year’s camp. They are Ejirinade Neuman, Igwe Ikechukwu, Muiz Salami, Felix Jackson, Destiny Eze, and Lucky Anyaorah.

The scholarships are set to help these players further develop their basketball careers.