NBA star Victor Oladipo explains his 2nd talent asides from basketball.
American professional basketball player of Nigerian descent Victor Babatunde Oladipo has explained his passion for music asides from basketball.
The 30-year-old Oladipo recently dropped an Afrobeats-themed album Tunde coined from his middle name Babatunde.
On the album, Oladipo recruited Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer Nonso Amadi for the " Exercise " hit single.
Oladipo explains his passion for music
Oladipo has been instrumental for the Miami Heat as they push for a playoff spot in the NBA Eastern Conference.
While Oladipo's career has been tailored to basketball he continues to groom his musical talent away from the game.
In an interview with WSVN, Oladipo explained how listening to music helped him tap into his talent.
He said, “When I just to listen to music or make a song, I could go do that, I have the ability to do that."
Oladipo detailed how dazzling national TV audiences on 'The Masked Singer' helped in his confidence to pursue his music career.
He added, “I had just torn my quad, the very first time, not the second repair, but I was going through a tough time, and to go on the show and do as well as I did, and do something I’ve always dreamed about doing.
“To perform during that time, I had a bad leg. I was trying to make sure that I didn’t fall on that stage or anything like that either.
“It’s not necessarily going to work in your favor everytime, but you have to the mental reserve to understand it can be the way you want it to be.”
Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra is aware of Oladipo's commitment to music but hails him as a professional that does not cheat the game of basketball.
Spoelstra said, “Vic’s a pro, this a totally different level. We had a holiday party, once he did it, it was a mic-drop moment.
“And he ended up doing two or three songs because we said, ‘Just keep going."
Oladipo is averaging 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Miami Heat this season and is expected to return to action from an injury after the All-Star break.