See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Samson Usilo and Samson Akilo came a long way when they immigrated from Nigeria to the United States, and they’ve come a long way since then.
The Nazareth seniors have become examples of how hard work and contentious positivity can lead you to your goals in life. Usilo and Akilo came to America as high school students hoping to fulfill a dream of playing basketball in college and earning a free education. It didn’t come easy.
“We had to adjust to everything,” the 6-foot-4 Usilo said. “Coming from another country to the States, I have to adjust to the society, the basketball, and the game.”
They celebrated the completion of that journey at Nazareth on Monday by signing National Letters of Intent to play men’s basketball at Manhattan College next season. Having their teachers and their schoolmates cheer for them reminded the two about where this journey started.
“To come from 8,000 miles away, and to make things happen in America and New York City, really feels great,” the 6-foot-9 Akilo said.
What makes the duo special goes beyond what they do on the court. Both have grade point averages over 90. They put as much time into a math exam as they do working on a crossover dribble. Being motivated academically was never a problem, even from the start, according to Kingsmen coach Todd Jamison.
“They spend hours studying,” he said. “They are not going to accept mediocre. That translates to the basketball as well.”
It was on the court where Jamison said their biggest adjustment needed to be made. They had to get used to the increased speed of the game and honing their skills to the same level as their natural athleticism.
Usilo and Akilo put everything they had into making sure they achieved what they came to the United States for in the first place. They led Nazareth to a Catholic High School Class B state title as sophomores, and to the “A” crown last season. Usilo averaged 20 points per game as a junior, and Akilo 11 rebounds a contest.
One thing that can’t be measured is the class they handle themselves with, and how their leadership pushes the players around them. They feel it is their jobs to show others the right way to fulfill your goals.
“We are an example for all the people coming to New York, to America,” Akilo said. “We let them know you have to come here and do our schoolwork, be humble and have a good attitude.”