In 2022, Cal State Fullerton’s men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA for only the fourth time in university history, largely due to star player E.J. Anosike, a 6-foot 7-inch Nigerian American MBA student from the College of Business and Economics.
For the past two years, Anosike has been bringing his basketball talent at a professional level to audiences from Western Europe to China to Africa.
Anosike shared with us some of the highlights of his global career thus far and his plans for the future – off the court and on.
We tend to think of basketball as a U.S. sport. But it is popular globally and growing around the world. What is basketball culture like in other countries?
Asia has the most unique basketball culture by far. I’ve played in South Korea and I’m currently playing in China this summer. In Asia, there is a large basketball fan base and the NBA is avidly followed.
The fans are very passionate about the games, which are frequently sold-out.
Fans even wait for players outside of the arenas after games!
I’ve often needed security to escort me out so I’m not mobbed by fans after great games!
In Korea, I’ve even received gifts after games. Memorabilia, snacks and games have been some of the presents I’ve received from fans!
What have been the highlights of your international basketball experiences over the past two years?
I played in South Korea for the KBL, in Canada for the CEBL, in France for Pro A, in Belgium for BNXT and in China for NBL.
My most memorable experience was receiving a call to play for the Nigerian national team in the Olympic qualifying tournaments.
I returned back to my native Nigeria after seven years and played in front of family members I haven’t seen in 15 years.
I’m very happy to have had that moment to represent my country!
Unfortunately, we lost in the Olympic qualifiers to Senegal last summer. South Sudan is representing Africa in the 2024 games. But we hope to try again in 2028, when the games are in Los Angeles!
Another highlight was during my rookie year in South Korea. My team won the KBL Cup and I was awarded MVP.
I then organized a charity event for kids in South Korea at a local elementary school and spoke to kids about chasing their dreams! Then, I surprised them with gifts from my team and tickets to my last game before Christmas.
It’s always my aim to give back to the community on every team I play on and do something for the local kids!
How do you believe the Cal State Fullerton MBA program has prepared you for a global sports career?
My MBA has given me a deeper understanding of how the world works.
In my profession, basketball is global, and it is a major business in the entertainment sector in every country.
My education has prepared me to understand the value of every member of my team and the role different workers play in organizations.
The game is bigger than what happens on the court. The decisions made off the court by coaches, marketers, administrators and others influence what happens when it’s time to play.
Having that understanding made it easier for me to navigate the day-to-day life of being a professional athlete, especially on the business side of things.
Where do you see yourself in the near future?
In the next year, I will be playing in the NBA and returning to the U.S. to compete against the best.
I am enjoying my experience traveling the world and developing my skills, knowing that I will get the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
Outside of basketball, I will continue working with nonprofits to support initiatives benefiting children around the world so they can have life-changing self-development opportunities.
