Nigerian young star Onome Akinbode-James playing basketball in the States

• She is a Nigerian basketball player
• She represented Nigeria at the FIBA Under-16 Championship for Women
• She played for Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball team for four seasons

Onome Akinbode-James is a talented Nigerian basketball player who has made her mark on both the international and collegiate stages in the States. She represented Nigeria at the FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for women, contributing to their silver medal win and qualification for the U17 World Championship.

Akinbode played college basketball for four years playing for the Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball team. In her college years, she played as a forward and is known for her athleticism and versatility.

During her playing years with Duke, she ranked fourth in the freshman record book for blocked shots with 42 in her first season and lettered as a junior in both basketball and track and field. She is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and an ACC Honor Roll selection.

Onome Akinbode-James. Photo/Duke Athletics

The 23-year-old was not drafted in the 2022 WNBA but despite that, her experience and skills reflect a bright future whether she pursues her career professionally or utilizes her education and basketball experience in other ways.

Onome Akinbode Educational Background

Born and raised in Abeokuta Nigeria, she attended her primary school there and joined her secondary school classes before she started playing basketball. When the family moved to the United States, she transferred to Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey where she completed her high school education.

Akinbode was recruited after the FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Women where she averaged well in her senior year. She graduated from Duke University in 2022 with a double major in electrical engineering and computer science. She achieved her academic success while playing for the Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball team and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and an ACC Honor Roll selection.

Onome Akinbode Personal Life

Onome was born on March 9 2000 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria where she had her primary and secondary education before leaving for the United States. We still don’t know how the player went to the States but there are possible scenarios like having secured a student visa.

She might also have landed there through her basketball talent and Blair Academy could have supported her recruitment and attendance. On another note, if she had family members already residing in the States legally, they could have petitioned for her visa as a dependent.

Onome Akinbode’s Career in Nigeria and the United States

Onome Akinbode-James is a talented Nigerian basketball player who has made her mark on both the international and collegiate stages. She represented Nigeria at the FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for women, contributing to their silver medal win and qualification for the U17 World Championship.

She played college basketball for four years playing for the Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball team. In her college years, she played as a forward and is known for her athleticism and versatility.

Onome Akinbode-James. Photo/X.com

During her playing years with Duke, she ranked fourth in the freshman record book for blocked shots with 42 in her first season and lettered as a junior in both basketball and track and field. She is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and an ACC Honor Roll selection.

The player was not drafted in the 2022 WNBA but despite that, her experience and skills reflect a bright future whether she pursues her career professionally or utilizes her education and basketball experience in other ways.

Onome Akindobe’s future expectations

The player is relatively young in her career and sure, her future career is full of expectations. Although she was not drafted in the 2022 WNBA, her talent and experience could land her opportunities in the professional leagues. Playing for overseas leagues like the EuroLeague could offer her lucrative contracts according to her experience.

Also playing for minor leagues within the United States could be an option for further development and potential a WNBA entry point.