Sport
A Special Interview with Coach Akindele Peter of Nigeria
By Chris Reese
Part 1 of the Black Coaches Elite Special
Coach Akindele Peter (in white hat and green shirt) with his young charges.
If you ask anyone who the face of basketball is in Africa, I am sure that everyone would say it is Aisha Mohammed. Although I support TITLE IX, Women in Sports and to know that a woman is the LeBron James of an entire continent goes without saying but imagine being the coach: a young man with the highest Basketball IQ on the entire African continent.
Coach Akindele Peter of Lagos is just that. He is more than just a face and more than just a man. In fact, he’s the leader of a land flooded with proven leaders. When I met with him, I knew that we would have an instant friendship. When I asked about the London Olympics, he didn’t take it too well; but that is coaching. However, allow me to introduce to America and the rest of the world, the “Phil Jackson of Africa”: Coach Akindele Peter.
Chris Reese (CR): Who is Coach Peter? Who are your influences? Why should we, in the basketball world, believe in you and your coaching reputation?
Coach Peter (Coach): I am a basketball coach from Lagos, Nigeria, who has gained quite a reputation in the game. I specialize in teaching kids, no matter the gender, the basic fundamentals of basketball. I also scout and recruit potential talent across the nation along with organize basketball/academics camps and clinics to breed great student-athletes. My influences are the legendary Coach Phil Jackson and Coach Peter Ahmedu of the Dodan Warriors Basketball Program. So far I have gone on to produce great student-athletes with great fundamentals, skill and discipline on the basketball court and in the classroom.
CR: Out of all of the basketball games you’ve seen in Africa and the world, who would you say are the best in the game?
Coach: Of all the basketball games I have watched, non can compare to that of US Basketball. The national team displays excellent game coordination, communication, great skill and the greatest names in the world of basketball.
CR: You, Baseline 2 Baseline, Warlords Basketball Academy and I are on the verge of creating a never ending bridge that allows players, of any sport, to earn an American education and high level athletic opportunity. Furthermore, there may be a future for them to become dual citizens. All this could happen because of you! Tell me what that feels like and what’s your true vision with this?
