With the game coming close, nagging comments filled his ears as he was guarded by the opposing team’s best player. “It was a very heated day, I’m afraid a lot of tempers got flared,” described Los Medanos College Center Tochi Onyeador. But all that noise faded when Onyeador released a shot from half-court that scored the winning point.
“I came out on top of that particular game,” said Onyeador. “It’s a memory that keeps running through my mind.”
For as long as Onyeador could remember, playing basketball was an enjoyable pastime; but he knew he wanted to take it to the next level. From the age of four, he competed with his brothers growing up in Nigeria, and once he got older, he moved to California and built his career. The switch to college level was a big change for him; however, his competitive spirit remained.
“It took a while to get used to the shift of going from playing for just fun, and going all the way to competitive basketball and having a purpose for why I am playing,” said Onyeador.
In his first season as a starter, his dominant performance showed, and he was named defensive player of the year. Although he is still improving offensively, he was always keen on rebounding, defense, and finishing near the rim.
“I enjoy the process of defense,” said Onyeador. “It’s probably my strong suit.”
But his season did not start as high, because he redshirted during his first year and had to learn a lot on and off the court.
“I came into the team as a scrawny 16-year-old that was super skinny and six foot three,” said Onyeador. “I walked into the gym on a random day and I didn’t expect anything to happen. I was just watching the practice going on. Then I got approached by one of the coaches and it sprung from there.”
Onyeador notes their recent season had a slow start, but the team went far once they learned how to play together. Building trust and chemistry with teammates is crucial for success in competitive basketball.
“Expectations are high for each other. But it makes you want to be better as a player,” said Onyeador. “To not be a weak link, you have to build up with your teammates.”
His connection to the team comes from more than just performance. Both Tochi and his older brother Chitu play on the team, and he describes it as “fun, but different” due to their close relationship and shared goals.
“It’s great having someone to help encourage and push you to the next level,” said Chitu Onyeador. “This doesn’t just apply to basketball, but pretty much everything else. We hold each other accountable, and as his older brother, I do my best to set a good example as much as possible.”
“It’s kind of a blessing in disguise. We’re both trying to get better,” said Tochi Onyeador. “Playing against my brother in practice has made me a better player.”
Living in California for the past two years, finding an environment where Onyeador fit in was hard. A significant reason he chose to play at LMC was for the coaches’ support and the promising history of the program. He believes this choice set him on the right path to keep improving at LMC and beyond.
“They make everybody feel like they’re at home,” said Onyeador, adding, “We’re all here for the same reason. I’m so used to the way we run things that I can see myself being a leader next season, and being able to preach what my coaches have taught me.”
Watching the NBA since he was a child and seeing stars like Kobe Byrant and Kevin Durant dominate on the court, he aims to make it professionally and play for his dream team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
