Internet offers hope for players

He spends his nights in front of a computer and sends his résumés and pleas to college basketball coaches

he has never met. Uche Onyedikam has nowhere else to turn. The 19-year-old Nigerian basketball player

is desperate to leave his impoverished homeland. He wants to begin a college basketball career in the United States.

"Every day of my life, I keep [researching] on the Internet on how I can get an athletic scholarship,"

Onyedikam said. "Only very few [coaches] would reply. Some say they have interest in me, while some would say

they don't have [any athletic scholarship to offer]. But the very few that had interest in me, ignore my e-mails

after I reply again. I just keep sending e-mails."

Onyedikam is one of 37 Nigerian-born basketball players who have a résumé posted on a Web site aimed

at NCAA and European basketball coaches.

Garo Salibian, a self-proclaimed basketball fanatic who runs the Web site InternationalBasketball.com,

said his site is a celebration of basketball across the globe and includes more than résumés. The site's topics

range from hoops in prison to Muslim-run leagues. But Salibian, a Lebanese-Armenian living in Montreal,

said the list of résumés of foreign-born players, especially Nigerians, seems to generate the most interest.

"College coaches do contact me a lot," said Salibian, who said he doesn't charge kids to post a résumé and

doesn't profit off the site. "But it's not like I'm working with them constantly, rather just giving them some

vital information they can use. If they are already talking to a certain player, they may ask me on the side

what I think about them or what is his track record."

Salibian said he rarely knows the names or faces of the players who appear on his Web site, and he doesn't try \

to help place foreign athletes in American colleges. He provides the outlet to get their name out there.

"They are so short of resources," Salibian said. "They are perplexed and sometimes even clueless to what

should be done. I try to do some informative presentations, but I know my limitations and, frankly,

lack of resources. But I know even a simple interest call from a college or a club or a scout

will be a life-changing experience for any of these players."

Onyedikam's résumé mentions he is a guard/forward who was born in July 1986.

He said a video tape is available upon request. Other résumés include pictures, heights, statistics

and leagues the players have participated in. A coach can find several big men listed over 6-foot-10.

The players are often looking for a ticket out of Nigeria. Onyedikam isn't any different.

In one e-mail to a reporter, he reached across the globe.

"Please sir," he wrote. "Is there anything you can do to help?"

IN THE KNOW

Sample résumé

Uche Francis Onyedikam

(Nigerian basketball player résumé  / Posted 19 November 2002)

Bio: 6'2" 70 kilograms Nigerian player (born in Lagos in July 1986)

Position: Guard/Forward

Teams:

Eclipse Basketball Club, Nigeria

Navy Basketball Academy (NBBA)

Stats: 13 ppg, 5 steals and 4 blocks per game.

Honors:

Participated in all Secondary Schools Milo Basketball Tournament (2001). Came 3rd in the tournament.

Also participated in NBA player Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Summer League (2002).

Achieved there the best Defensive player award.

N.B. Video tape available upon request

Contact: E-mail uchh4real@yahoo.ca

Now I am not saying Uche Onyedikam is the greatest of players. Probably he is not. There must be so many

players with greater potential than him. But one thing for sure, that he has this  great heart and love.

But then he might be a great basketball talent! No one knows...

For after all, it takes just "one sympathetic ear", correct?

But until then, he will just keep on sending his e-mails...

and he will doubtlessly hear a lot of "no's" and "no thank you's"....

if they ever answer him back that is.....

Anything though for the love of this beautifullest of all  games ever the world over

One World, One Game

Garo Salibian

webmaster

http://www.internationalbasketball.com

info@internationalbasketball.com

worldbasketball@yahoo.com

UCHE ONYEDIKAM

Bio: 6'2"  70 kilograms Nigerian player (born in Lagos in July 1986)

Position: Guard / Forward

Teams:

-Eclipse Basketball Club, Nigeria

-Navy Basketball Academy (NBBA)

Stats: 13 ppg, 5 steals and 4 blocks per game.

Honors:

-Participated in all Secondary Schools Milo Basketball Tournament (2001) Came 3rd in the tournament.

-Also participated in NBA star Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Summer League (2002).

-Achieved there the best Defensive player award

Contact: E-mail:  uchh4real@yahoo.ca  

N.B. Video tape available upon request