Abiodun Adegoke, a Nigerian basketball player with a remarkable height of 7 feet 11 inches, has captured the internet’s attention with his nickname “Big Naija.” Despite his undeniable presence, Adegoke’s age remains shrouded in mystery with conflicting reports suggesting he could be either 23 or 24 years old as of 2022.
Adegoke, born in either 1998 or 1999, is a Nigerian amateur basketball player who has gained considerable attention due to his extraordinary stature, according to several online publications the gallant giant was said to be 17 years old in 2016.
Notable for being the tallest amateur basketball player, Adegoke attended the Segun Odegbami International College (SOCA) on a sports scholarship before making his mark in the MPAC Elite Youth League in Dubai, where he currently competes.
His towering stature and impressive dunks, often with both feet planted firmly on the ground, have made him a viral phenomenon. A video showcasing his talent even caught the eye of National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Shaquille O’Neal in 2021, sparking interest from scouts and propelling Adegoke to social media fame with over 127,000 followers on Instagram under the name “Big Naija.”
Reports about Adegoke’s age have varied significantly, with some indicating he could be as young as 18 or as old as 23. In 2021, Adegoke claimed to be a teenager. Despite his towering presence and viral fame, Adegoke lacks a solid basketball background for the NBA, making it improbable for him to compete in the world’s premier basketball league, despite his incredible physical attributes.
Standing at an impressive height of 7 feet 11 inches, Adegoke’s fame reached new heights when a video of him dunking on NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal went viral, amassing nearly 5 million views on Instagram.
Adegoke’s height has garnered attention in the basketball world, surpassing even the heights of legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming.
In 2021, Shaq was astonished when he shared a video clip of Adegoke and discovered he wears size 50 shoes.
Adegoke could potentially become the tallest basketball player ever drafted into the NBA, but it’s not just his height that sets him apart. His skills on the court are truly remarkable.
However, to thrive in the NBA, Adegoke must work on his weight, and his trainer has been diligently focusing on improving his basketball skills.
During warm-ups, Adegoke’s ability to dunk the ball without lifting his feet off the ground is a testament to his extraordinary height.
His towering stature makes it nearly impossible for opponents to prevent him from dunking during gameplay. His one-handed dunks seem effortless, as he nearly reaches rim level.
In actual games, Abiodun Adegoke’s dominance is undeniable. He makes his opponents appear diminutive on the court, effortlessly outplaying them with his massive height. Despite towering over his teammates, Adegoke’s performance on the court is truly awe-inspiring.
This attention caught the interest of NBA scouts, sparking speculation that Adegoke could potentially become the tallest player ever drafted into the NBA.
While his Instagram following has skyrocketed to 127k, and his jaw-dropping frame continues to captivate audiences, Adegoke’s journey to professional basketball remains uncertain. Nonetheless, his perseverance and dedication are evident as he continues to train and hone his skills, with hopes of one day making a mark on the professional basketball stage.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his age and professional trajectory, Adegoke remains dedicated to his Basketball craft.
His recent Instagram post showcases his training and unwavering determination with the caption: “I’m going to KEEP WORKING! None of them know my story, NONE of them know where I come from, or what it took to get here. I’m riding with my people! Time will tell!”
Fans are undoubtedly cheering him on, hoping to see “Big Naija” reach even greater heights in the world of basketball.
One fan said: “Keep up the good work [clapping hands emoji.”
Another wrote: “That basketball hoop looks like a toy.”
And a third said: “That rim must be lowered.”
While an NBA career might seem like a natural fit for someone of Adegoke’s height, the lack of a solid professional basketball background makes it a challenging prospect.
However, if he were to be drafted to the Adegoke, the Nigerian would potentially become the tallest player ever in the NBA, surpassing the current record of 7 feet 7 inches held by Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol.
