It's a good mix, three perspectives...one theme-making it happen. Talking NDC basketball with Obinna Ugwuakazi, Darrius Bush, and Daylin Lee.
Notre Dame College redshirt sophomore forward Obinna Ugwuakazi has gotten better and better since he has arrived on campus a few years ago.
"On the court Obi has a passion to play the game of basketball," NDC teammate, junior guard/forward Darrius Bush stated. "Off the court Obi brings laughs to the team throughout the locker room. He is the king of provoking things I believe. Standing at six foot-six you have an advantage with rebounding, " Bush added. "He knows how to stand his ground and make a play on the ball. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions when the time comes."
"He's one of the best rebounders on our team for a reason. More athletic and stronger than a lot of guys he goes up against, he's so quick to get off the ground too, so it all just makes him a tenacious rebounder. Obi likes to see his guys do well. So when he gets a rebound and sees an open guy ready to shoot he won't hesitate to pass it," senior teammate Daylin Lee added.
"I just play basketball with the same objective in my mind every time which is to win. When presented with the opportunity extraordinary things can happen, " Ugwuakazi opined.
Bush also gave these thoughts:
"Obi is a loud spokesperson. He always stands up for what he wants to say and do. His favorite quote is:
'Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.' His energy was was felt during the first couple weeks of pre-season. We have gotten more comfortable with each other throughout the season."
Lee talked about how the relationship the two of them have has evolved:
"He keeps it real with you, especially when it's time to compete. He's the loudest guy on the bench when you get a bucket or make a play and we have each other's backs. We've created a long and positive relationship that is now hard to break."
Lee talked defense:
"Obi is a guy that can guard anyone on the court. We play in an undersized league and he's an undersized big man so he's a big presence on defense no matter where he is or who he is guarding. He'll be the first one to try and block a layup or a dunk."
Bush talked work ethic:
"Obi's work ethic is great. We shoot together before games, after practices, and whenever we can. Going back to his energy, he puts a lot of effort into the weight room to maintain his health and spirit."
Lee talked about what he has learned from Ugwuakazi about the position:
"Obi has taught me that physicality at this position is the core for success. This league has a lot of undersized bigs, some more comfortable in the position than others, and some guys like myself who who can exploit the bigger players on defense with quickness and agility, I learn more everyday playing this position and sometimes I forget that I'm the 5 (center) for this team. I have to do what the 5 does to help us win. I think Obi and I have had our ups and downs but overall he and I feed off each other and learn from each other's mistakes as well as successes."
Lee talked about when he and Obinna met:
"The first time I met Obi was definitely in the gym. When we first met it was like we had already known each other for a while. From the jump I knew the type of teammate I was going to have, loud, direct, and he was going to let you know when to pick it up. He's a loud and passionate hooper and he's going to just keep getting better."
Then Bush talked about the coaching staff:
"The three coaches believe the work you put in is what you get out of it. Coach Rich is a coach that understands his players and their capabilities. He does not try to do the impossible and lets us as players know when we can be better. Coach Dunc is the teacher of basketball. His understanding of the game involves a lot of listening. He explains the minor details that players should know to be successful. Coach Scott (Mcloud) is the cool coach. He instills confidence in the players that he thinks need it. Playing the game of basketball is built off a player's confidence to play all phases of the game."
Ugwuakazi told me that the community around NDC from teachers to coaches has had a favorable affect on him.
Then he told me the biggest lesson that he has learned from all people at NDC since he has been is--just to show up.
Bush also talked about the NDC community:
"One of the biggest things I have learned while being at NDC is to value yourself. This campus provides a lot of resources to become successful. With it being private, a lot of people know you from what you do as a student here."
Then Lee gave his thoughts about the matter:
"The biggest thing I have learned from the faculty and teachers at NDC is to be on time and to be respectful. They helped me realize how important building relationships is in every aspect of your life. It will get you a long way. They also helped me realize that procrastination is the worst thing you can do while being in school, so I'll take that information and make sure to use it in the future. The coaches all have different perspectives on the game and they all can use it in the future. The coaches all have different perspectives on the game and they all can tell you something different that you can do to help this team. They try to get the best out of everyone at the position. This being so they can look good on the court while helping the team win."
Bush talked team chemistry:
"Our team has chemistry in various aspects. We know what shots people normally take and do not take. As a basketball player, we know our game and how skilful we can be individually, but there are 5 players on the court at a time. As teammates, we have ultimate trust in each other and must sacrifice a piece of our game to help the team be successful coming towards March."
Lee agreed:
"Yes, we gel together pretty well. Our relationship off the court plays a major role in our success on the court. Also, we know how good we are when we play together so we emphasize using our strengths to help each other because we are one of the most talented teams in our league so when we all come together we are hard to beat."
Bush talked about the MEC:
"The MEC is a competitive conference. With nationally ranked teams, we must compete every day in practice to be able to compete with others. Practice is what makes us connect more on the court. We have had our times of ups and downs, but our shell is not broken as we continue to play games in the back half of the season."
Lee agreed:
"The MEC is one of the highest scoring conferences in all of college basketball. As much as we can score, we have to emphasize defense because every game will be high scoring. There's a lot of talent in this league and playing against these teams only makes us better as we continue into the season. Anybody can beat anybody, especially this year. We've seen some upsets that let us know we have to bring our best game every night."
Ugwuakazi told me the competition in the MEC is at a very high level and he loves it. "Every game in the MEC is soo crucial just like life it prepares you to be ready for that tipoff," he said.
Lee talked about the biggest misperception:
"I think that the biggest misperception about being a student-athlete at the DII level is that the 'student' part of it is under valued by people on the outside looking in. Those who are on the campus with you, your teammates, coaches, friends, teachers know the amount of hard work that has to be put in off the court so we can play our sport. Ultimately a lot of people on the outside that don't know much about being a student-athlete think that the 'athlete' part of our identity is the most important and crucial part of our time in campus. In realty though, a lot us are faced with a lot of school work and other circumstances off the court that we have to deal with so we can be the best athletes we can be."
Bush answered that question:
"Thinking that things will come easy is the biggest misperception about D2 athletics. Your work ethic must be on a different level. A lot of it comes from being able to self-motivate yourself to get into the gym during the times you do not want to. Also, learn from your and other's mistakes. Coaches play to win, not to give minutes away for highlights. You must earn your spot and continue to earn a spot throughout the season and off-season."
Ugwuakazi gave the final thoughts:
"The brand of NCAA I believe, playing at the collegiate level, is impressive enough regardless of the level. Everyone playing in college was 'THE MAN' on their high school team or prep team. The easiest part of being a student-athlete is playing the game you love. The toughest part is finding the will each day to sharpen your will for it."
The Notre Dame College Falcons (16-12 12-10 MEC) will open play in the MEC Quarterfinals as the #5 seed and will take on the fourth seeded West Virginia State Yellow Jackets (20-8 14-8 MEC) at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia on Friday Night March 3rd, the game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM.
#FlyAbove
Ugwuakazi gets to the rim.
Bush at the charity stripe.
Ugwuakazi with the slam.
Lee in the open floor.
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