Post by RUFresh on Dec 12, 2006 2:53:49 GMT -5
www.polynormgiants.nl/content.php?op=view_artikel&c_id=206&c_cat_id=9
Name : Olumuyiwa Popoola
Date of birth : 30-09-1981
Place of birth : Dallas, Texas
Length : 1.91 m
Shoesize : 49
Favourite Food : Nigerian food
Favourite movie : When we were kings
Favourite music : Gospel
Favourite book : Bible
We know you by 3 names: Olumuyiwa, David and Doop, what is the story behind these names?
Doop are the initials of all my names, because I have four names. It feels comfortable when you say Doop, because you are saying my four names basically. Olumuyiwa and David are just two of my four names.
When did you start playing basketball and where?
Living in Texas there was a basketball court right across the street where I lived. So I had nothing to do and my mom told me to go across the street and play so she could see me from the house. So that is when I first played basketball, I was 7 years old. Later I start to play it organized, first recreational, then YMCA and then I started playing at travelling teams. So in the summer we travelled to different cities and states. Eventually I picked it up, became a little good at it and here I am today.
Did you always want to become a professional basketball player?
Ever since I was 9 years old, I wanted to become a professional basketball player. I was still just playing it for fun, but I know in my heart that when I became older I will be playing basketball.
Who is your roll model for basketball?
Michael Jordan, he is the best roll model. He is a very hard worker and he has a lot of skills. He is a player I always paid attention to.
Are you fan of a basketball team?
Yes, I like a lot of teams. But my favourite team would probably be Dallas Mavericks. Because I come from Dallas and I like their style of playing, a very fun and exiting style of playing, really up-tempo.
Do you follow the Dallas Mavericks right now?
It is really hard to follow it right now. For now I think you can only see a highlight on CNN but a real game, ….no. But when I go home for Christmas I make sure I get to see some games, it doesn’t matter which NBA team.
Choose 4 players with whom you would like to form a basketball team?
Kobe Bryant (red: Guard, Los Angeles Lakers)
Ray Allen (red: Guard, Seattle SuperSonics)
Shaquille O’Neal (red: Center, Miami Heat)
Kevin Garnett (red: Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves)
This is you 1st season within the Giants, what did you like most till now?
The team want to win, that is what I like the most about the team. They want to go on the right direction and that is very important. We are thinking long term also, that is good for the organisation. Not just only want to win but have a strategy on how to win.
What do you hope to achieve within the Giants?
For myself, I have no stats. So I want to play well and help this team win whatever it takes. And as a team definitely reach the play-off’s and than take the team as far as we possibly can. Since it is a whole other team than last year I cannot compare with last year, but with the team we now have we should definitely reach the play-off’s and go past the first round, so that is my goal for this team.
Have you ever played anywhere else but in the states?
No, this is the first season I played out of the states, last thing I did, I played 4 years of collage basketball, that’s a big difference.
What is the difference?
Of the court it is different because I live in another country so I have to get used to the culture and style. And in terms of basketball it is faster here, the shot clock is 24 seconds, back home in collage it was 34 seconds. And the footwork is different here, when I first started playing I get couth for travelling a lot. But beside that basketball is universal.
How do you like Bergen op Zoom?
The town is real nice and peaceful. The people are really friendly, American friendly to, I would like to emphasise that. You always hear stories that in some countries people are not American friendly, refuses to speak English and stuff. I never had that problem here, the people are really friendly, that is what I like about Bergen op Zoom.
How do you get prepared for a game, do you have some kind of ritual?
No, no ritual. I’ve been playing for long time, honestly I don’t have to prepare at all . The closer I get to game-day, the more I mentally start to prepare myself, so nothing special I need to do. I am confident enough that when the time arrives I am physically and more important mentally prepared.
To finish: What is you biggest basketball blooper?
I just have to many bloopers, but the biggest blooper is missing a dunk. It was in collage last year, I was al by myself and I dunked, but I dunked it so hard but I missed the ball and went out of balance. The coach was real mad, but it happens to anybody.
Name : Olumuyiwa Popoola
Date of birth : 30-09-1981
Place of birth : Dallas, Texas
Length : 1.91 m
Shoesize : 49
Favourite Food : Nigerian food
Favourite movie : When we were kings
Favourite music : Gospel
Favourite book : Bible
We know you by 3 names: Olumuyiwa, David and Doop, what is the story behind these names?
Doop are the initials of all my names, because I have four names. It feels comfortable when you say Doop, because you are saying my four names basically. Olumuyiwa and David are just two of my four names.
When did you start playing basketball and where?
Living in Texas there was a basketball court right across the street where I lived. So I had nothing to do and my mom told me to go across the street and play so she could see me from the house. So that is when I first played basketball, I was 7 years old. Later I start to play it organized, first recreational, then YMCA and then I started playing at travelling teams. So in the summer we travelled to different cities and states. Eventually I picked it up, became a little good at it and here I am today.
Did you always want to become a professional basketball player?
Ever since I was 9 years old, I wanted to become a professional basketball player. I was still just playing it for fun, but I know in my heart that when I became older I will be playing basketball.
Who is your roll model for basketball?
Michael Jordan, he is the best roll model. He is a very hard worker and he has a lot of skills. He is a player I always paid attention to.
Are you fan of a basketball team?
Yes, I like a lot of teams. But my favourite team would probably be Dallas Mavericks. Because I come from Dallas and I like their style of playing, a very fun and exiting style of playing, really up-tempo.
Do you follow the Dallas Mavericks right now?
It is really hard to follow it right now. For now I think you can only see a highlight on CNN but a real game, ….no. But when I go home for Christmas I make sure I get to see some games, it doesn’t matter which NBA team.
Choose 4 players with whom you would like to form a basketball team?
Kobe Bryant (red: Guard, Los Angeles Lakers)
Ray Allen (red: Guard, Seattle SuperSonics)
Shaquille O’Neal (red: Center, Miami Heat)
Kevin Garnett (red: Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves)
This is you 1st season within the Giants, what did you like most till now?
The team want to win, that is what I like the most about the team. They want to go on the right direction and that is very important. We are thinking long term also, that is good for the organisation. Not just only want to win but have a strategy on how to win.
What do you hope to achieve within the Giants?
For myself, I have no stats. So I want to play well and help this team win whatever it takes. And as a team definitely reach the play-off’s and than take the team as far as we possibly can. Since it is a whole other team than last year I cannot compare with last year, but with the team we now have we should definitely reach the play-off’s and go past the first round, so that is my goal for this team.
Have you ever played anywhere else but in the states?
No, this is the first season I played out of the states, last thing I did, I played 4 years of collage basketball, that’s a big difference.
What is the difference?
Of the court it is different because I live in another country so I have to get used to the culture and style. And in terms of basketball it is faster here, the shot clock is 24 seconds, back home in collage it was 34 seconds. And the footwork is different here, when I first started playing I get couth for travelling a lot. But beside that basketball is universal.
How do you like Bergen op Zoom?
The town is real nice and peaceful. The people are really friendly, American friendly to, I would like to emphasise that. You always hear stories that in some countries people are not American friendly, refuses to speak English and stuff. I never had that problem here, the people are really friendly, that is what I like about Bergen op Zoom.
How do you get prepared for a game, do you have some kind of ritual?
No, no ritual. I’ve been playing for long time, honestly I don’t have to prepare at all . The closer I get to game-day, the more I mentally start to prepare myself, so nothing special I need to do. I am confident enough that when the time arrives I am physically and more important mentally prepared.
To finish: What is you biggest basketball blooper?
I just have to many bloopers, but the biggest blooper is missing a dunk. It was in collage last year, I was al by myself and I dunked, but I dunked it so hard but I missed the ball and went out of balance. The coach was real mad, but it happens to anybody.