John and Mabel, like many others, left Nigeria in search of an opportunity. Destiny took them to Tudela, where Great and his sisters were born. Then to England, where he still works as a taxi driver. That boy who wanted to be a forward but was so tall that they made him a defender, is now one of the big stars of the NCAA, leading the Washington Huskies - studying Criminology at that University - with a NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) salary of two million dollars and the determination to play in the NBA next season. Also soon with the Spanish national team, as he reveals to EL MUNDO from Seattle.
It is his first interview with a national media outlet, and he apologizes before starting: "It's been a long time since I spoke Spanish." A few days ago, he scored five flawless three-pointers against Purdue. And over the weekend, he faced UCLA with Aday Mara. His statistics are impressive: averaging 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. A colossus (2.03 meters, 115 kilograms) at 22 years old and a fan of Osasuna.
Question. For those who have never seen you play, what is Great Osobor like?
Answer. I am a very versatile player, I do many different things on the basketball court. My footwork is very good. I can rebound, score, pass the ball very well, defend... I don't consider myself a specialist player who only does one thing. I don't like that.
Q. In the US, you are compared to Charles Barkley, and one of the things they highlight is your passing ability.
A. Yes, I like to pass the ball. Of course, scoring baskets is important. But when you are heavily guarded, teams send two or three defenders at you, and you have to have the skill to make the right pass for the team's sake. I really enjoy doing that. Charles Barkley was an exceptional player, so I can't be upset about being compared to him. But I want to be Great Osobor.
Q. Where does that passing ability come from?
A. I played in Spain when I was young, that's where I developed. I learned at CB Génesis in Tudela, Navarra. That has helped me a lot. My skill set is different from English or American players. And also different from Spaniards because I have a combination of all the places where I have been learning. I have a mix of everything; my basketball is different.
Q. What is the story of your family?
A. My parents are from Nigeria, and they wanted to give my sisters and me more opportunities. They arrived young, and we were all born in Spain. I was born in Tudela and lived there until I was 12. I liked it. But I understood that my father needed another opportunity, and I had no problem moving to England. Initially, we were in London for two months. Then we moved to a place called Huddersfield. I was there for four or five years (playing for the Bradford Dragons), and then I went to a school called Myerscough for two years. After that, I traveled to the US, to Montana State. University coaches came to watch me play. There have been many changes in my life in a few years.
Q. Do you miss your childhood in Tudela?
A. We visit every two years. I still have friends, especially Alejandro Humanes, who is the son of the CB Génesis coach. We talk a lot. That's my connection to Tudela. I miss Spanish food; it's exceptional. I love paella, a good potato omelet...
Q. Danny Sprinkle, your current coach at Washington, has been key in your career in American basketball.
A. My family has always liked my coach, with whom I was in my early years in Montana. He believes I can become a very good player. He has trusted me from the beginning. So when he made the move to this bigger university, why not come with him?
Q. What is it like competing in the Big Ten Division?
A. Most teams in the Big Ten are among the best in the US. It means playing against the best every day. But we have to keep playing our game. It's normal to lose games in this division, it's happening to us. And it bothers us. But the goal is to qualify for March Madness.
Q. How well have you adapted to the change to a university like Washington?
A. My three years before in the US were in Bozeman (Montana) and then in Utah. Montana is a bit like in the series Yellowstone [laughs]. They are very different cities from Seattle. This is a big city where you can do many things. It's interesting to be here. There is a lot of interest in sports, many fans, and they give it a lot of importance. Personally, I'm doing well. The level I'm at now is the highest you can play in the US apart from the NBA. It's an opportunity.
Q. Would you like to play for the Spanish national team?
A. Yes, it would be a dream. It already was when I was in Spain and watched Pau Gasol and the others. So now that I have a chance to play, I hope they select me. Let's see what happens.
Q. Spain is currently going through a generational change. You could play for Nigeria and England. Have you spoken with Sergio Scariolo?
A. I haven't spoken with Coach Scariolo, but I have talked to people from the national team. I hope to be there this summer. It would be a dream to debut in a Eurobasket.
Q. This is your final year in college. Do you think a lot about transitioning to the NBA?
A. Before, I was always looking at how things were going, draft predictions, and so on. I have many dreams. The NBA, the national team... If I keep going like this, they are not so far away. But right now, the most important thing for me is to be the best Great I can be every day. And then, we'll see.
Q. What do your parents say now, seeing where you are heading as a player?
A. For them, the most important thing is that I continue to enjoy playing basketball and that I don't forget where I started. The origins. I have never been to Nigeria, but I will go soon to see the rest of my family.