Melbourne United import Caleb Agada on his mother’s inspiration, the NBL haters and how teammate Ariel Hukporti has become family
One’s on a path to the NBA. The other’s in the form of his life. Both Ariel Hukporti and Caleb Agada consider each other family after finding common ground at Melbourne United.
Susan Agada never cared for basketball. Who could blame her?
The single mother was escaping an impoverished situation in Nigeria in search of a better life and more opportunity for herself, 6-year-old Caleb Agada and his older sister, Justine.
The trio made their new home in Canada, where Susan dedicated herself to instilling strong values, with education paramount.
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It sat uncomfortably with Caleb as he emerged as one Canada’s most talented basketballers.
Instead of rebelling, though, the future Melbourne United import used his mum’s concern as motivation.
“My mum, like most immigrant parents, was focused on education first, so, when she saw that basketball was steering me away from school, she was worried and hesitant,” Caleb said.
“Mum’s been my motivation. (I try) to help give her a better life and do as much as I can for her as possible.”
Susan led by example.
“She has two masters, two undergrads and a PhD,” said Caleb, who studied economics at the University of Ottawa.
“I said ‘mum, I want to chase this basketball thing, I’m going to get my bachelor’s degree, but I don’t think I can keep pushing after that, you can get enough degrees for the both of us’.”
Caleb said he was forced to push even harder to convince her that he was on the right path.
When college recruiters came calling and the accolades rolled in, Susan finally realised basketball could give her son the future she dreamt of and now she is “100 per cent supportive”.
With Caleb making a name for himself in Melbourne, the tight-knit family celebrated Christmas with a difference.
Susan returned to her extended family in Nigeria and Justine stayed in Canada to continue her work in helping migrants and refugees settle.
Caleb was in Australia preparing to shred the Sydney Kings with 24 points and 14 rebounds — the most ever by a United guard — four blocks and four steals.
“We had a crazy Christmas, where mum was in Nigeria, my sister was in Canada and I was in Australia so we just got on the phone. Everyone’s doing well in their relative area and there’s just a lot of love,” Agada said.
Haters fall on deaf ears
The 27-year-old broke out with three straight 20-plus-point performances and was influential with 12 points and nine rebounds against the JackJumpers on Saturday — United’s fourth straight victory.
But it hasn’t all been roses.
Coach Dean Vickerman was forced to make a change after Agada struggled to adjust to the NBL and its referees in the pre-season.
The versatile 196cm guard-forward was moved to the bench for United’s first two games as he worked with the coaches to avoid attracting fouls.
The doubters said United needed another import to compete.
“I never really paid attention to anybody questioning me,” Agada said.
“Nobody at the club was questioning me or putting any pressure on me.
“I put in the work. That’s one thing I do. I knew that, eventually, things would start clicking.”
Click, it has. Agada is now seventh in the league in scoring at 17.33ppg, equal fifth in three-point makes at 2.5 per game and top-20 in rebounding and steals. Exactly what United needs from its sole import.
Point to prove
Stars Matthew Dellavedova and Chris Goulding are now his teammates, but it isn’t the first time Agada has come across the two Aussies.
His Nigerian team faced the Boomers twice this year, once in an Olympic warm up and again in the group stages in Tokyo, losing both games.
“They waxed us, they killed us, so I kind of have a chip on my shoulder, like I’ve really got to come out here and show that Nigerian basketball isn’t as sorry as what we showed,” Agada said.
“I remember I just saw Chris making a bunch of shots — you know, doing what he does now.
“I was like ‘bro, what? This guy, right here, is crazy. I haven’t seen nobody hit shots like this’.”
BIG BOOMERS WIN 🇦🇺
— The NBL (@NBL) July 14, 2021
Dominant win for the @BasketballAus Boomers over Nigeria. Chris Goulding led the way for Australia putting up 21 points on 7/7 shooting from deep 🔥#GoBoomerspic.twitter.com/fTILeM946j
It wasn’t all gloom for the Nigerians, though. They beat the once-invincible Team USA, a victory that resonated across Africa. Agada led the way with 17 points.
“It was big for the continent of Africa, which is something I hold really dear to my heart,” he said.
“A lot of people messaged me, told me how proud they are, not only of me, but to be Nigerian.
“Not even just Nigerians, people of all African descent were hitting me up. I take a lot of pride in being able to inspire and motivate people and be an example.
“That’s one of the best memories I have in my life, winning that game.”
With great power comes great responsibility
Agada has an acute sense of duty to give back and says he uses his position to educate and inspire.
“The world we live in, as sad as it is, it’s tough,” he said. “It’s tough for people of colour, it’s tough for minorities.
“People in Africa, their standards of living are way worse than people in the Western world. I’m somebody who was able to escape that and come and build a life outside of that, so I feel like it’s my obligation to shed light, or at least be educated on the matter as much as I can.
“I try to give my support to other people back home and all across the world who go through their struggles and be an example for them to just keep pushing and stay motivated to keep working to change their situation.”
His unique story has become a connective link with teammates Ariel Hukporti and Jo Lual-Acuil, who have both emerged from struggle.
“Jo and I have really connected a lot because we share similar views on these types of situations,” he said. “Ariel understands these types of struggles too.
“There’s power in that. We come from similar backgrounds and we’re doing something that we love because we were able to overcome our struggles or the struggles of our parents or our ancestors.”
A new family
Agada and United’s German Next Star Hukporti have become “brothers”.
“Big A is my guy, we’re always together. He’s a great kid, big heart, just has so much potential. The sky’s the limit for him, he’s just got to understand how good he can be. But he’s young, he’s 19. Me at 19, he’s waaaay ahead of me.
“I just try to take him under my wing, show him the ropes as much as possible.
“That’s family now.
“He is truly an amazing person and I’m glad he’s in my life and he will definitely stay in my life for the future.”
That future is in the NBA as the 213cm big man is sitting on draft boards as a potential second-round pick.
But now it’s all about United and its unique team vibe.
“It’s not just Ariel, it’s most people like Smerch (team manager Stephan Semerci), the coaches, everybody — I’m just glad to be here,” he said.
“(Jack) Whitey, amazing, he’s been showing us around since we got here, he’s been a great host.
“It’s a pretty tight group, but it’s more mature and everybody understands everybody. We have a bunch of vets and good guys … everybody’s got their individual families, most guys on the team have kids or are married and stuff, so we can’t be as tight as a bunch of college guys.
“But everybody comes together when it’s time.”
Summer challenge
Agada has had a taste of the NBA and had an impressive run with the Denver Nuggets in this year’s Summer League.
He racked up 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.2 steals, while shooting 45 per cent from deep.
Not that any recruiters or GM’s noticed.
“Nobody was really messing with me, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” he said.
Caleb Agada went off in his NBA Summer League debut for the @nuggets last night 😤
— Gee-Gees Men’s Basketball | Basketball masculin (@GeeGeesMBB) August 9, 2021
Writing another chapter in his unbelievable summer. So proud to see our guy showing out at the highest level! ðŸŽ
21 PTS / 8 REB / 5 AST / 2 STL / 28:45 MIN pic.twitter.com/Tv2mOywd5F
So, he’s bitter? Nope.
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“It’s life. I came from the second division where it was tough and I really had to grind, so now, being in Australia, I’m not going to be mad that the NBA didn’t give me a chance,” he said.
“That was my first time (in the NBA). I’m going to keep striving for that and keep working every single day and if I get there, I get there, if not, I’m in Australia enjoying myself.
“It’s beautiful out here. I’m playing basketball, I’m not upset about anything I don’t have, I’m grateful for everything that I do have.”
Originally published as Melbourne United import Caleb Agada on his mother’s inspiration, the NBL haters and how teammate Ariel Hukporti has become family
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