On the dusty streets of Sabon Gari, Kano, where football reigned supreme, a young boy discovered his passion on a different kind of court. In a neighborhood where dreams often remained just that, Ezekiel Adeyanju found his calling in basketball — a sport that would take him from bare-footed games to national championships, and perhaps one day, to the Nigerian national team.
But Ezekiel’s story is far from a fairy tale. It’s a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in a future beyond the challenges of today.
For Ezekiel, basketball wasn’t love at first sight. Growing up in Sabon Gari, he was surrounded by kids kicking makeshift footballs on the streets. But something different caught his eye — a basketball court near his home.
“Just like you see children playing football on the streets, we had a basketball court,” Ezekiel told Bold Sports. “I often visited whenever I wasn’t busy with house chores. Watching people play made me curious, and soon enough, I joined them.”
What started as curiosity quickly turned into passion. Ezekiel realized he wasn’t just playing — he was good. His skills blossomed, and his dreams grew bigger. He found inspiration in local basketball legend Abubakar Usman, a star for Kano Pillars.
“I loved watching him play. He was a household name, and I wanted to be like him,” Ezekiel added. “Since then, I knew basketball was what I wanted to do.”
Like many young Africans pursuing unconventional careers, Ezekiel faced resistance from his parents.
“They didn’t support my dream at first,” he said. “They believed there were other career paths I could explore to become successful. Sometimes, they stopped me from training because of house chores.”
One incident stands out. His team had a crucial semifinal match, but his mother, who ran a local restaurant, insisted he stay and help at the shop. Torn between duty and passion, Ezekiel made a bold decision.
“I sneaked out to play the game,” he recalls with a smile. “We won that match, and it was worth it.”
Despite his parents’ initial reservations, Ezekiel’s determination never wavered. He enrolled at Ahmadiyya College in Kano, a school with a strong basketball culture, to hone his skills and chase opportunities to play professionally.
The road to becoming a professional basketball player wasn’t paved with gold. Ezekiel’s journey was marked by financial struggles that threatened to derail his dream.
“As a basketball player, your diet is important,” he explains. “What you eat and when you eat it contribute to your fitness. But there were times I couldn’t afford the proper food.”
Even basic gear was a luxury.
“I didn’t have shoes and played barefoot until Raphael Solomon, my senior in school, gave me my first pair,” Ezekiel recalls. “I played with that shoe until I could feel my heels on the court. Then another senior, Alhaji, gave me another pair.”
Through it all, Ezekiel persevered. His love for the game and his desire to lift his family out of hardship kept him going.
In 2023, tragedy struck. While training in Lagos for a competition, Ezekiel received the devastating news that his father had passed away.
“It was night when we lost him,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion. “I couldn’t leave Lagos immediately because of the cash scarcity at the time. Two days later, I got some cash and traveled to Akure to be with my family.”
The loss hit hard, especially as Ezekiel had already lost his eldest sister. Now, he was the eldest child, responsible for his four younger siblings and his mother.
“I had to stay strong for them,” he says. “It wasn’t easy, but I had to cope.”
Despite the hardships, Ezekiel’s determination led him to the Nigerian Basketball League. He played for clubs like Kwara Falcons, Gboko City Chiefs, and Gombe Bulls.

“Regardless of the challenges, I was determined to make it as a basketball player,” he says. “I traveled across the country — from Kano to Kaduna, Akure, Lagos, and Jos — hoping to get scouted.”
His big break came in 2018 when Kwara Falcons signed him. After four successful years and several championships, he moved to Gboko City Chiefs and later joined Gombe Bulls.
Ezekiel’s journey has been one of constant evolution. His time at Gombe Bulls ended in 2024, and now, he stands at a crossroads, open to new challenges.
“I’m open to anything,” he says. “If Gombe Bulls call me back, I love the team and would play for them. But I’m also open to new adventures.”
Ezekiel’s most memorable achievement came in 2022 when he won the Nigeria Basketball League with Kwara Falcons.
“Winning the league was a dream come true,” he says, his eyes lighting up with the memory. “We were young and hungry, and no one expected us to win. That moment was glorious.”
The journey to that victory wasn’t smooth. The team faced doubts and setbacks but found renewed confidence after winning the Sam Oguche Bullet Championship.
“That victory gave us the belief that we could achieve our goals,” Ezekiel says. “When the league came, we took each game one at a time and were crowned champions. It was an emotional moment. I raised my hands and thanked God.”

From a young boy playing barefoot to a national champion, Ezekiel’s journey is fueled by faith and family.
“God kept me going,” he says. “I believed He had a plan for my life. I wasn’t ready to give up because of that.”
Ezekiel’s motivation extends beyond personal glory. He wants to make his family proud and support his siblings and mother.
“I knew where I came from, and I wasn’t willing to go back empty-handed,” he says.
Ezekiel’s dreams remain big. He hopes to one day don the green and white jersey of Nigeria’s national team, the D’Tigers.
“It would be a dream come true,” he says, his voice catching with emotion. “It could even make me cry. I always watch the D’Tigers and dream of playing for them.”
He also dreams of playing for a top European club.
“I watch those teams and love their players. Playing with them would be an amazing experience,” he says.
Ezekiel Adeyanju’s journey is far from over, but his story so far is one of hope, perseverance, and inspiration. From Sabon Gari’s streets to Nigeria’s basketball courts, his message is clear: dreams are worth chasing, no matter the obstacles.
“I’m not done yet,” he says with a determined smile. “The best is yet to come.”
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