Nigeria has a lot to benefit from basketball clinic – Ex-WNBA star

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and when did you first realize your talent for basketball? Tamika Maria Raymond: I am originally from Ohio. I am a bit of a country girl. I have an elder brother and sister, my brother is ten years older than I am and my sister is […]

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and when did you first realize your talent for basketball?
Tamika Maria Raymond: I am originally from Ohio. I am a bit of a country girl. I have an elder brother and sister, my brother is ten years older than I am and my sister is seven years older than I am. They both play sports also. My mother was against her girls playing basketball because she believed that sports were for boys. She felt we could play volley ball and all other but not basketball or run on the track but not basketball. So my elder sister went into fashion but continued to play sports. Even with her role in sports, she continued her education and both my elder brother and sister got their education for free through scholarships. That encouraged me to also play sports which I started at quite a tender age. I just took a cue from there and also started playing basketball, because I looked up to them and saw my sister as a strong woman. Everybody loved the way she carried and portrayed herself, she got a lot of accolades from people and that what really encouraged me to go into basketball. I never had an incline that I was going to be a basketball star one day. But here I am. Basketball just happened to come and it was a blessing from God.
What are the challenges you have faced in this sport dominated by men?
The whole challenge started with my mother, she was very particular about not wanting me out there in the world without make up and looking all boyish. But for me the character that you build while playing sports is a life style change. Your health in particular stays in shape and you build team work. In the United States we had a Federal law which gave the same rights to young boys and girls in high school and college whenever it concerns sports. So if the guys got three slots in basketball the girls also get three slots in basketball and so many other things which really helped out the gender inequality in the game of sport. So I would say for that the challenges women would have been faced with in this sport have been tackled from an early stage in the United States.
If you were not a professional basketball player, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t a professional basketball player I would have been an entrepreneur even though I am now and maybe I would have been into sports broadcasting because I studied broadcasting. And maybe by now I would have been done with my Phd. But basically I would have been on television or radio because communication broadcasting was my major.
If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?
That would be a long list of people. If I could have two people it would be Oprah Winfery. I would love to trade places with her because she seems to have her hand in a lot of things and places. She is also an African American woman and one of the most powerful women in the world. She has built schools here in Africa, she has her own network and her own show and she has really helped a lot of people get to a particular position in life. She has helped a lot of people become their own small business owners. The Number two person I would love to trade places with for a day would be Nelson Mandela. I was in Jo’burg where we ran a basket ball clinic for young children. I was amazed to see people my age and younger go about singing the praises of Nelson Mandela. I could see the patriotism his courage had built in them, which has kept them united all these while. To be at his old age now and see how emotional the whole country was about his health was so touching. I would love to have a life like his even if it is for a day.
You coached the India female basketball team, what was the experience like?
I had coached them in 2010 and when the WNBA games came they said they wanted an American coach for both the female and male teams and I accepted to coach them. The girls enjoyed the whole experience and that was the first time they would life weight and also did a lot of training. It was the first time I had to yell a little bit and interestingly it was an opportunity for some of the girls to leave their country and play basketball in other countries which really boosted their spirits and increased their level of play. It was a great feeling to be able to make a difference in their lives. It was a lot of fun I would say.
Tell us a little about your coaching style and philosophy?
My philosophy is that practice should be tougher than games, so when they get to the games is very easy. Also how you treat your body is what you get out of it. I am also very kin with the mental aspect of life, why we do things. That is a major problem we struggle here in Africa. Most of the time, there is no rhyme or reason while playing the game of Basketball. So that is why we are here to give an insight to some of the problems African basketball face.
Speaking of African basketball, what advice do you have for Nigerian female basketball players?
I would say knowing how and when to pass and handle the ball. They should also know how to play defense as a team unit. There is lot of efforts from the team but we need to focus on what we can achieve as a team.
What was the hardest thing about playing for the WNBA back then?
The hardest part playing for the WNBA was that you were competing with the best players from around the world. The best players from Asia, Africa, Europe, and America all come to play in that tournament. You might not speak the same language with some of the players but they are the best from the world and they are all going to try to give their best and come with all they have got to offer. The game itself is being played every night with these players and you had to be up to your game each time. This was one of the hardest part of playing in the WNBA for me.
How has basketball contributed to your personal growth?
The game of basketball has made me who I am today in life. Basketball has boosted my character and given me the ability to travel round the world for free to meet different people. Meeting different people has changed the perspective in which I viewed life and people generally. Basketball has made me a different person in life totally and I am grateful for that.
What are your basic workouts?
Basically I work out five times a week, I run; I try to play with the boys though I am getting to old for that now. I do small weight training but mostly for my body and that is it. And I eat right.
How have you been able to cope being a wife, coach and also manage your consultancy firm?
Just like every other woman in the world, we figure it out by learning how to manage time. Every woman is a multi tasking being. It would be wise for every right thinking woman to invest her time wisely and also include her family and loved ones in whatever she does.
Do we see you coaching an African team soon?
Of course, I look forward to it. I have been sent to china, India and some other places. I am just waiting to be called to coach an African team.
What were your aspirations as a child?
I always wanted to be a doctor, a vetnarian to be precise. I love animals. I also looked forward to having a big family and that is pretty much it, just a very simple life.
In your view what benefits would the Nigerian Basketball Federation derive from the just concluded basketball clinic?
I have been asked that question a number of times and I tell them that the clinic has come with a lot of benefits which cannot be explained literally. But after a while the impact will be felt. It is an opportunity that the Nigerian basketball federations do not want to lose. Another thing is that anywhere we go to since we came, the look I get from most of the young children give me a feeling of fulfilment and hope. Most of them say, if she as a female can do it, we also can. My presence alone could inspire some of them to pick up a basketball in future. For me I am very positive that the clinic will impact positively on the game in the country. A child came up to me and said she wanted to be just like me and I said to her ‘you are going to be better than I am’. We hope to start something for the young ones in Africa sometime in November. So in some month’s time you would see a number of basketball courts coming up. Basketball is something we hope to improve and in doing so we need to start from the young ones.
What advice do you have for teenagers who want to go professional in the game of basketball?
You have to practice, practice and practice. You need to push yourself above limits.
How do you unwind after a basket ball season?
I love to read, shopping, I love shopping for high heel shoes. I love to wear heels and people see me and ask me why do you wear heels and I asked them too why do you wear heels? Which woman doesn’t love to wear heels? Notwithstanding my height I love heels.
What would you love to achieve in life in terms of basketball?
I love to work with young people and make an impact in their lives. Basketball was not a planned thing for me and it has taken me places. I would also like to use this same basketball to change the lives of people particularly through education. That alone is what I need to do.
What is that basic thing that thing a team needs to excel in a game?
Especially here in Africa, I think teams need to work more on their defense.
Who is your role model in the game?
Hakeem Adejuwon, he played with all his heart and soul. He gave his all to the game of basketball.
What ways do you think basketball can be used to bring peace and unity in the world?
Sports are a universal language and basketball is one major part of it. For me basketball is a universal language in sports that is why I love to do what I do.
How many years of coaching experience do you have and when do you hope to retire?
Since I graduated from college, it’s about twelve years now. As for retirement, I would say never. I will continue to coach till God knows when.
What is your view on female athletes who take steroids?
I would say that is definitely not true. Among sports personalities that have been caught for using steroids, women are the least. We go into sport because it is a passion and we don’t make a lot of money like the males do. It is not true that females involved in sports take steroids.