Young Basketball Star Reflects On His Career

Lynchburg, Virginia to Buffalo, New York, 18-year-old Kenny Anaebonam’s Jr. basketball journey differs from most basketball players.

Anaebonam has always had a love for basketball dating back to eighth grade when his father would take him to camps around the country.

“The summer of eighth grade my dad got me into a lot of camps, but I wasn’t really good,” Anaebonam said. “But I worked really hard and with my dad‘s help and going to camps I was able to make the EC Glass High School team.”

Anaebonam’s father has played a pivotal role in his basketball journey. Kenneth Sr. played basketball growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. His junior year in college he transferred to Liberty University and played his final two seasons as a Flame.

Throughout his years playing basketball he formed many connections with players, coaches, and scouts all over the world. These connections paved a way and provided opportunities for Anaebonam to make the best of his basketball career.

The first major opportunity came when Anaebonam was going to the 10th grade.

“I was sitting in my room playing video games and my dad came in and basically told me that he has an opportunity for me,” Anaebonam said. “Basically, he knows a coach that wants me to come play for him for the rest of my high school career in Canada.”

This is when Anaebonam decided that the best decision for him would be to move to Ontario, Canada and play for Ridley Prep under coach Tarry Upshaw.

“At first I was like what the hell am I doing in Canada,” Anaebonam said. “But just being able to go to a different country, meet a lot of new people and build connections is a great opportunity. I felt like if I didn’t take this opportunity I wouldn’t just be hurting myself but be hurting my future as well.”

While attending Ridley Prep School, Anaebonam was able to face the Premier prep schools in Canada and showcase his talents in international tournaments. However, moving to a brand-new country by yourself at such a young age can be difficult. Thankfully, Anaebonam was able to build new relationships with people he’ll never forget.

“I feel like my personality helped me a lot. I was able to adapt and build friendships fairly easily,” Anaebonam said. “Even though it’s an international school everybody was kind of new, so it was like we were all fresh off the boat together.”

After three years at Ridley Prep, Anaebonam graduated and then it was time to figure out what his next move will be. On October 23, 2020, Anaebonam committed to Suny Erie Community College.

“So, there’s another coach that my dad knew who coaches in upstate New York… his name is Alexander Nwora and he gave me an opportunity to come play with him and I’m very grateful,” Anaebonam said.

Nwora is a well-known coach from Lagos, Nigeria and has a son who currently plays in the NBA. As Anaebonam continues his career under coach Nwora he hopes that he not only becomes a better basketball player but becomes successful in his business life.

“I tend to look into the business aspect of my future,” Anaebonam said. “I’m still training. I’m not giving up and I’m continuing to work hard.