How not getting minutes sparked a change in work ethic – with Teddy Okereafor – Ep. 75

In episode 75 of the Hoopsfix podcast we sit down with GB starting guard and four year pro Teddy Okereafor.

Currently a free agent, Okereafor is mulling over his opens and seems to be open to a return to the UK to play in the BBL, as we discussed the state of the domestic league along with his career and journey to date.

Having had a successful junior career in England which culminated in an U18 national championship with the Westminster Warriors, Teddy went to the US to Christchurch High School where he won Virginia Prep League Player of the Year and signed with VCU the year after their Final Four run.

Having completed his sophomore year and with minutes still hard to come by, Okereafor made the decision to transfer to Rider – and with it had a fundamental shift in his work ethic, realising if he wanted to play something needed to change.

He went on to have two successful years on the court at Rider (and another one he had to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules), before turning pro in 2016, where he has played in Estonia, Italy and Greece, whilst becoming a core part of the GB senior men’s squad.

In this 1 hour and 20 minute ish episode, hear from Teddy on:

• What he’s been up to during lockdown and how things are looking for him this season
• Whether he had any conversations with London lions ahead of this year
• The prospect of playing in the BBL this season
• Whether he feels British basketball has pushed forward over recent years
• How hard it is finding somewhere to work out and play in London
• How he first picked up a ball through his step father and brother
• Getting cut from the England Under-16s
• Playing for Hackney White Heat but not getting off the bench, and NASSA in a local league
• The forming of the stacked Westminster Warriors team that won the 2010 U18 National Championship
• How the move to the US came about
• The transition on and off the court from the UK to the US
• The recruitment process and choosing VCU
• Why he decided to transfer away from VCU
• The wake up call that got him to change his work ethic for the better
• Having to sit a year out after transferring and then getting back on court with Rider in a much bigger role
• His first call up to the GB Senior Men’s team
• The process of turning pro
• His workout with the Washington Wizards
• Signing with agents over Facebook
• Finding a scenario in Greece that has seen him play 3 seasons there
• The Greek fans
• Stnadout memories from national team duty
• The current GB Group
• Thoughts around qualifying for EuroBasket
• His favourite GB teammates
• And much, much more!

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