A positive surprise at the U18 Eurobasket in Finland was the team from Sweden, which nominated several players who play high school in the USA. One of them is Samuel Obenjo. Pro Insight’s Florian Kurth connected with him and learned more about the 6’10” prospect currently attending AZ Compass Prep:
Pro Insight: What was your impression of the event?
Samuel Obenjo: Me and my team were coming into that competition with high hopes of winning as many games as possible. Also with more experience, after some guys have been there one year before already. Each of us was coming with the expectation to win more and show that Sweden is a better basketball country than people think. So that was kind of my mindset. I feel like we set the tone by finishing 8th, which is the best-ever in the Swedish U18 generation during the last 50 years. So I feel like we did a good job!
PI: How does it feel to play for your country?
SO: It is always a blessing to play for your country! Every time I get an opportunity, I always want to show up and make all the practices and games. I feel like it gets me more motivation during summer and I just love competing with my country and my friends against other countries and their best players. It is a different type of experience playing with the best players from your country against the best of another country.
PI: Your name does not sound like a typical Swedish name. Do you have any other roots?
SO: I have a lot of roots. My grandma is from Denmark, my grandpa is from Estonia, my mom is born in Finland and my dad is from Kenya. That’s also where my last name comes from, which is the Kenyan side.
PI: Do you have any professional athletes in your family?
SO: I don't have any professional athletes, but my dad used to play basketball in Kenya. To be precise, in an academy there when he was younger and then he moved to Sweden because of basketball. And my mom used to play tennis. Sports have been around in my family for a while, but no one has been really professional.
PI: How did you get into basketball in the first place?
SO: My dad played and he kind of pushed me to play basketball, although I wanted to play soccer because my friends all played it. But then I got into basketball at like 6 or 7 years of age, because of my dad, since he wanted all his kids to play basketball. My older sister plays ball and my younger brother, as well. My youngest sister will probably play basketball, as well.
PI: How would you describe your game to someone who hasn’t ever seen you play?
SO: I would say I am very energetic, because I bring a lot of energy to my team with plays like blocks and dunks. Just getting my team hyped and ready for the whole game by doing this kind of stuff.
PI: What is your biggest weakness right now?
SO: It’s probably my weight, I have to go up in that. My coaches and I try to gain weight for me. Other than that I would say shooting, but we are working on that every single day.
PI: What do you work on the most in individual practice?
SO: Like I said, I work on my shooting. Aside from that I work on my ballhandling. Because those two are the parts of my game I can elevate the most.
PI: Can you imagine going to college one day? If yes, do you have any favorite school?
SO: Yeah, my goal is to play in college, but I don't have a dream college for now. My dad always wanted me to play there, too. I do not know where though, but I want to play.
PI: Which position do you see yourself playing, long term?
SO: I see myself as a 4 or 3 type of player, because of my athleticism, speed and skillset.
PI: Where do you see yourself in five years?
SO: In five years I see myself in the NBA, that is my main goal. I don’t care on which team. I just want to put Sweden more on the map.
PI: Do you watch a lot of the NBA?
SO: I follow the NBA, my favorite team is the Philadelphia 76ers. So I follow, especially their games. It was harder when I was in Europe because of the time difference, but now when I am in the states I watch a lot more games.
PI: Any hobbies besides basketball?
SO: Outside of basketball there is not too much. I like to hang out with my friends, so just talking, in general. So I like to talk to as much people as I can and get to know them. Basically, just hanging around people.
PI: Would you say you are rather an introvert or extrovert person?
SO: If you meet me, you probably think that I am an introvert, because I don't like to go around and scream, etc. But when you get to know me, you will see that I like to talk to everyone. People might think I am an introvert, but I would say I am an extrovert.
PI: Describe yourself with just three words.
SO: Energetic, talkative and happy.
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