My basketball dream ended after visa denial, Ex-BBNaija star Hermes

Hermes Iyele, a former housemate on the reality show Big Brother Naija, maintains a strong connection to basketball, a sport that was once central to his aspirations. Before his rise to fame in the entertainment industry, Iyele's primary goal was to secure a scholarship to play basketball abroad. This dream was ultimately curtailed by a visa denial, a setback that taught him valuable lessons about perseverance.

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At the beginning, I started playing basketball because I was trying to get a scholarship to go to school abroad, which I did, but I didn’t get the visa.

Despite the closure of his international playing career, Iyele found a new path to influence the sports landscape in Nigeria. He highlights that even though his initial basketball plan didn't materialize as expected, the sport had other plans for him, leading him to work with the NBA in Nigeria. He emphasizes that no experience is a waste, a philosophy instilled by his time playing basketball. Iyele continues to play the sport recreationally, emphasizing its personal significance.

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For me, what that means is that even though I had a basketball plan, basketball had other plans for me because I am still influencing the entire sports industry in Nigeria.

Iyele describes his playing style as adaptable, noting he plays small forward despite not being conventionally tall enough, often taking on guard responsibilities. He likens his tenacious approach to that of Michael Jordan, stating, "Against all odds, I just go and get it." He remains open to the possibility of playing professional basketball, acknowledging the need for conditioning but expressing readiness to seize such an opportunity.

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There is no such thing as a waste, in my opinion, because that is what basketball taught me.

He also draws a connection between his skills in dancing and basketball, seeing a shared foundation in footwork. For Iyele, the two disciplines are intertwined, with his dancing ability enhancing his basketball performance. His unwavering loyalty lies with "Team LeBron," supporting any team that LeBron James joins, and he was not surprised by James's move to the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Against all odds, I just go and get it.