Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Innocent Nwoko had no intention to play basketball.
“I played soccer a lot in Nigeria,” Nwoko said. “I came to Michigan and had the opportunity to play in high school too. I have the excuse to play soccer because it’s not something I had to learn. Growing up in Nigeria, nobody had to teach me to play soccer. It’s just what every kid does.”
When Nwoko arrived at New Haven High School in the United States, head coach Tedaro France handed him a basketball. He could not shoot, dribble, or understand the rules.