Victor Oladipo has looked back on the remarkable circumstances surrounding the beginning of his NBA career and a family story that made his draft night even more meaningful.
Long before Oladipo became a basketball player, his mother had a dream while pregnant with him and his twin sister in 1992. In that dream, Nigerian basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon handed her an autographed basketball.
Coming from a deeply spiritual family, she interpreted the moment as a sign that one of her children would eventually pursue basketball.
Oladipo’s parents were Nigerian immigrants who placed a strong emphasis on education rather than athletics. Still, as he became increasingly interested in basketball and began showing potential, his mother continued reminding him about the dream.
Years later, Oladipo found himself at the 2013 NBA Draft after developing into one of the country’s top prospects at Indiana University.
Shortly before the selection was announced, his agent delivered the news.
“Hey Vic, it’s gonna be you at #2 to Orlando.”
Oladipo tried to contain his excitement as he waited for commissioner David Stern to officially announce the pick. During those moments, he reflected on the sacrifices his family had made and the doubts he had faced during his development.
One criticism in particular remained with him.
“Nah come on. He’s just an athlete. What’s he doing that 200 other athletes can’t do?”
Those doubts disappeared when Stern finally made the announcement.
“…..with the second pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select Victor Oladipo, of Indiana University.”
But an even more memorable moment followed backstage.
After completing his media responsibilities, Oladipo went looking for his family and noticed his mother standing in the hallway with an unusual expression. Confused, he asked his twin sister what had happened.
“Hey, is she OK?!? What’s going on?!?”
His sister directed his attention elsewhere.
“No….. Victor. LOOK.”
Standing nearby was Olajuwon.
The Hall of Fame center had attended the draft because it was Stern’s final year as commissioner, and Olajuwon had been the first player Stern announced as the No. 1 overall pick decades earlier.
Oladipo’s mother met Olajuwon backstage, told him about the dream she had while pregnant and received an autographed basketball from him – recreating the scene she had envisioned more than 20 years earlier.
For Oladipo, the extraordinary coincidence happened on the very night his NBA journey officially began.
“That was my first night in the NBA.”
“A lot has happened since then.”
