Osun Osunniyi (208-F/C-1998, college: Iowa St.) is a 25 year old 208cm big man from New Jersey that is playing his second professional season and first in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg currently averaging 4,8ppg, 5,0rpg, 1,0apg and 1,1spg. Last season he played his rookie season with Hubo Limburg United (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) playing 22 BNXT League games averaging 9.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.8bpg, 2FGP: 58.0%, FT: 58.6%. He began his basketball career with Mainland Regional and then played at Putnam Science Prep Academy. He then played 4 seasons and 111 NCAA games at St Bonaventure an din his last season averaged 11.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg, 2.9bpg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 64.1%. He then played one more season at Iowa State University (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 8.2ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 60.1%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 67.2%. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks Osun for talking to germanhoops.com. Before we get into basketball, please tell me how you got this unique name?

In Nigeria it is a state in the country. My mother and father had the names picked out. I don’t fully remember how

Congrats on signing in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. Did you ex teammate Courtney Stockard at St Bonaventure (NCAA) give you tips about the MLP Academics since he once played there?

I did send Courtney a text when I realized he signed with MLP Academics. He told me that it was a great area and that he enjoyed his time there and everyone is friendly and would take care of me.

What was your main motivation for signing with the MLP Academics? What was the deciding thing that let you sign on the dotted line?

My main motivation was just trying to find an organization that was in a great league and that the coaching staff would help me continue to build my game and become a better player.

Let ´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would bets fit the description?

I can’t really pick a certain NBA player. I do pride myself as being a defensive anchor that loves to be the last line of defense and protect the rim at a high level. But I also love passing the ball. I think that is something that I have worked very hard on and it’s a huge part of my game.

You’re a player that consistently has scored, rebounded and blocked shots at the NCAA and pro level. Would you call yourself a high quality 2-way player?

I would call myself somewhat of a 2 -way player. Defense has always been something that I have been great at. It’s something that has gotten me very far in my basketball career and something I pride myself on. Just being a tough defensive player.

You averaged 2,4apg in the NCAA. How well defined would you classify your playmaking at the moment for a big man?

Absolutely. I love passing the ball and getting my teammates points and getting them opportunities to score. I’ve always been able to pass and it’s something that I will continue to do and continue to work on.

You averaged more than 2,5 blocks per game in the NCAA per season and 1,8 in Belgium as a rookie. What is your secret to being an impactful shot blocker? What do you rely on most when swatting away balls?

I don’t really have a secret to it. I’ve just always had the timing and ability to do it and it’s honestly my favorite thing about playing basketball.

Your already an incredible shot blocker, but where do you see your shot blocking art at the moment? Would a goal like becoming the best in Europe a realistic goal for you?

I think my shot blocking is the best part of my game just my timing and ability to not only block shots but alter shots and protect the rim. Personal accolades and awards are things that I don’t put too much time thinking about or worrying about. If blocking shots is helping my team win games and bringing a championship to the team then I’m going to work my very best to do that so we can win.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

Everything. I don’t want to just be complacent with my game. Obviously my defense is ahead of my offense, but working to be able to guard every position on the court is something I work hard to be able to do, but If I had to pick one thing specifically it would be my offense. Just being more comfortable on the perimeter and being able to knockdown perimeter shots.

You played your rookie season with Hubo Limburg United (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 9,8ppg, 5,7rpg and 1,8bs. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

Just getting that phone call from coach Ray Westphalen and having the conversation with him about the team and where he saw me being a part of his system and what I could do playing in the BNXT.

You had the incredible experience to be teammates with 38 year old ultra veteran Cliff Hammonds. How vital was he for a guy like you coming out of school? What was the most important thing that you could soak up from him?

Cliff was everything. Just being able to understand and learn different things from a guy who’s been all over Europe and just listening whenever he spoke. I think the most important thing I learned from him was taking care of my body everyday. Doesn’t matter If it was an off day just always do something to keep your body feeling good. Another thing was just watching how he played the game. For being 38 years old, I watched Cliff lock down some young guards and put his body on the line for the team every single game.

You won the 2024 cup with Limburg. What was most special in this run and how you achieved it with your teammates especially Robert Jones from Iowa State?

Winning the cup was huge. It was a great experience. Playing in that environment in front of the Limburg fans and being able to bring the Belgium Cup to Limburg was amazing. The fans made that experience one I’ll never forget.

You played 2 NBA Summer League games with the Washington Wizards in 2023. You had an allround strong game against the Bulls. What will you remember being the coolest moment that you had during your stay?

The coolest moment was just being out there with NBA guys and just experiencing what it was like to be and NBA player. I appreciate the Wizards organization for the opportunity and allowing me to represent them.

What kind of feedback did you get from the Wizards coaching staff?

They told me to just continue to work on my game. Just told me how tough it is to actually be in the NBA.

You played at St Bonaventure (NCAA) from 2018-2022 winning the Atlantic 10 title in 2021 and reaching the NIT Final 4 as a senior. What was your fondest moment in those 4 years?

I had a lot of memories St Bonaventure is my 2nd home and I loved every moment I was there playing in the Reilly Center. Winning the Atlantic 10 tournament was amazing. Winning the Charleston Classic was also a great time. I have so many great memories playing there it’s hard to choose just one singular moment that was my favorite.

How key was head coach Mark Schmidt for you? What more than freedom did he give you from the get go that helped you develop further?

Mark Schmidt is a basketball guru. He is always thinking of different plays and things that can be done to win games. He is always thinking basketball and it’s what makes him a great coach. He gave me a lot of freedom, especially using my passing ability and putting me at the top of the key where I was able to pass and get my teammates involved. I loved playing in his system at St Bonaventure.

You had 7 blocks in your second NCAA game against Jackson State (NCAA). How vital was that performance for you? Did that give you the feeling yes I can play very well in the NCAA?

At the time I was just trying to do whatever it took to help my team win. My freshman year I was just trying to learn and play my role whenever I got in the game. Blocking shots is something I’ve been doing since I started playing basketball. That game definitely game me the confidence that I could be a very good shot blocker.

You became the all-time shot blocker at St Bonaventure and had so many great games including many 7 block games and 18 blocks in a 3 game span. What was your favorite game there?

I think honestly my favorite block out of all the blocks I had at St Bonaventure would definitely be either the record breaking block or the block that sealed the game for us on the road against Virginia. Just blocking that shot as the time expired and being able to wave bye to all the Virginia fans felt really good.

You followed Jaren Holmes to Iowa State (NCAA) for one more season averaging 8.2ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 60.1%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 67.2%, How did head coach TJ Otzelberger give you that added push and help groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach TJ was amazing and being able to play under him for 1 year helped my basketball career, because he taught me how to push myself to exhaustion every time I played, because that’s when I played to my fullest potential. He also helped me understand that becoming a professional would mean I would have to be able to play a role and understand my role and do it to the best of my ability and that would help me have a successful professional career. I appreciate everything Coach TJ taught me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Robert Jones?

Rob and I would go back and forth. Some days he would get the best of me and the other days I’d get him. But it only made us get better every single day

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Probably Cam Thomas. I played him my junior year when we made the NCAA tournament and played LSU.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kyle Lofton, Jaren Holmes, Dom Welch, Cornelius Brozell, Jalen Adaway

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Michael Jordan, Shaq, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Magic Johnson

Who is your personal GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn ´t They have left it alone?

No I haven’t seen it. I did see the original and I’ve heard from my friends that they shouldn’t have made a sequel. Sometimes it’s better to just let the originals live on forever.

Thanks Osun for the chat.