Last year’s rookie Ojo is now diamond from the rough

Recruiting rookies from overseas is never an easy process. And it is not made any easier by the strange phenomena that occurs on some transatlantic flights that cause newly signed players to lose three or four inches in height, and gain a few extra pounds in weight, before they touch down in the UK.

Much to the distress of the coach, who has spent the last two months hyping to the local media about his new recruit, the slightly shorter and slightly heavier star also failed to disclose his chronically bad knees and respiratory problems. Subsequently, this means his on court action has to be limited to twenty minutes a game, or he risks dying. It quickly becomes apparent to all that the reference provided by the college coach of the wheezing, limping franchise player, was – much like this description – ever so slightly exaggerated.

The point I am trying to make, is that when a team finds a diamond in the vast waste of rubble, it makes for very exiting news. And it is safe to say, that coach Gavin Love found his diamond in shooting guard Michael Ojo.

The Lehigh University graduate has blossomed into the hottest young player in the league. His emergence as a star could not have come at a better time for a club that lost its captain and its leading scorer in the space of just two months.

Ojo has increased his scoring from a respectable 13.2 points per game in the 2012 campaign, to 23.4 this year – overall leader in the league at present.

I asked the second year player what he thinks is responsible for his increased output: “To be completely honest with you, I would say it’s a combination of both me being more assertive and working to develop my game. Last year I was known primarily as a shooter, and in certain games and situations it hurt me. I did show flashes of being able to create and score in different ways, but I was pretty inconsistent with doing it.”

“With the make up of the team we had, former MVP Jeremy Bell, a star centre in Paul Williams, and Lehmon Colbert at the forward sport, I didn’t necessarily know where my shots were going to come from, nor was offence always needed from me.”

It was at the other end of the floor Ojo was most needed. As a rookie, he soon gained a reputation as one of the league’s elite defenders, and formed a special on-court relationship with team-mate, and fellow defensive specialist, James Jones. The pair were instrumental in sharing split shifts locking up the BBL’s premier guards. “He [James] had a large influence during my rookie season, battling with him in practice on a daily basis has helped me become the player that I am today. We have a pretty good relationship to this day”

“There are a lot of solid and talented guards in the BBL, and over the past two years I’ve been tasked with attempting to shut them down, or at least slow some of them down. I honestly couldn’t pick one specifically, but if I had to pick then I would go with Demarius Bolds or Martelle McLemore. Bolds was tough because he was relentless on the offensive end, McLemore is tough because he’s a big guard with a good handle, he easily creates shots for himself and others.”

Conversation turned to what it was like sharing the back-court with floor general, Rod Brown, who parted ways with Plymouth, joining up with London Lions right at the last moment for players to be recruited in the BBL. “Playing with Rod was a blessing because it’s not everyday you get the opportunity to play with someone with the pedigree that he has. He’s a savvy veteran and I see him as an open book that I can learn from.” When I suggested that Rod brought more leadership from the point guard position, Ojo was quick to explain that “Rod and Jeremy are two completely different players, but I wouldn’t say we lacked leadership at the point guard position [with Jeremy] and they attack defences in different ways”.

In closing our interview, I asked the young shooting guard what the bigger picture was after life in the BBL: “With God’s blessing I would love to be able to play basketball for as long as I can. I know I’m already blessed to have even come this far playing wise, hopefully if I stay focused, dedicated, and continue to work hard I will be able to create opportunities and chances for myself to progress my career.”

“Post-basketball, I definitely have a career in mind. I would love to go into broadcast journalism. I made a point to get my education, and graduated Lehigh University so would have something to fall back on after my basketball career. Basketball is just what I do, it’s not what defines me.”

The challenge for the Raiders will be keeping hold of their new star, and complementing him with the right mix of players to build a championship team. This will not be easy, especially as his stock continues to rise. No doubt Ojo will be tempted to try and emulate the success of his former teammate Rod Brown, and try his luck in the harsher, but ultimately more luxurious leagues outside of the UK.

But for now, he is only focused on Plymouth, and bringing the city a championship: “I want to win a championship, whether it be the league or the playoffs. I want to win because at the end of the day it’s winners who are remembered.”