Fast Breaks with Ebuka Izundu

EBUKA IZUNDU

Fast Breaks
Ebuka Izundu

My hometown is Lagos, Nigeria. I lived there until I was 16 years old before I moved to America. Nigeria is very similar to Miami, but it is definitely not as hot, closer to 100 degrees usually in Lagos.

My family is my parents, my brother and my sisters. I have one brother and four sisters. Most of them are not here in America with me, but I love my family so much and they helped push me to do this.

I started playing basketball when I was 16 years old, in Lagos, and then I came here.

My high school was a small Christian high school in Charlotte, North Carolina. I went there for two years before enrolling at the University of Miami.

When I was younger I wanted to be a professional soccer player. However, I grew to be too tall and started to play basketball. I played soccer almost my entire life and still love to play it occasionally.

The hardest thing about being away from home is not having the food and the music from Lagos.

When I played basketball growing up I pretended to be Kevin Durant. I loved the way he plays and when I was younger, I was skinny like him and I tried to do everything the way he did.

Playing basketball has given me joy, happiness and everything I have always wanted.

When I was introduced to Coach L, I was amazed by him and who he was. He is always so happy. I remember he was so happy to meet me and I was happy to meet him for the first time as well. He kept talking to me and I love to always say that I gained interest in coming here from speaking with Coach L.

I am a Miami Hurricane because I love the U, while the U means everything.

The city of Coral Gables is lovely and small. There are so many things to do around here and I just love the community.

Playing for Coach L at Miami, I’ve learned a lot. He is such a great coach and he treats all of his players as if they were his own kids. I love being around him.

One thing everyone should know about UM hoops is that we are coming for anyone that we play.

I am closest on the team with DJ [Vasiljevic], Mike [Robinson], Rodney [Miller], and really everybody to be honest.

I wear the jersey number 15 because, originally I wanted to be No. 5 but Davon Reed wears that number. So I just wanted something with the number five on it.

Dunking feels like the whole world is cheering for you.

If I wasn’t playing basketball I would be playing soccer.

Some of my personal goals include trying to get my degree from the University of Miami and to be playing professionally somewhere.

I never thought I would be playing basketball, to be honest.

I secretly wish to own a Lamborghini.

I like to cheer on my teammates, play in games with them and to just play basketball.

My favorite holiday is Christmas, because I celebrate God and I go to church on Christmas day.

Nobody knows I can play soccer.

While becoming a man I have learned a lot from every situation I have been in, during my life.

After college I would like to play basketball professionally.