Swagger and Determination: How Adaora Dioramma Balances Basketball Dreams and Academic Goals

At Beyond the Fast-Break, we are thrilled to introduce Adaora Dioramma, our first young lady interviewee and the recent U18 Finals MVP at the Jr. Final Four tournament, held in England! In this exclusive interview, Adaora shares her inspiring journey, goals, and insights into what drives her passion for basketball.

1. Adaora, congratulations on being named U18 Finals MVP at the Jr. Final Four! How did you prepare for this tournament, and what does this achievement mean to you?

"Thank you very much! The way I prepared for this tournament was by focusing during training and honing my strengths, such as rebounding and driving to the basket. Winning MVP for the first time is a big achievement for me because it encourages me to keep reaching these kinds of accomplishments, and it makes me proud of myself."

2. Can you share a bit about your background and what it’s like growing up in a bi-racial family in London?

"My mum is Hungarian, and my dad is Nigerian, so at home, there's a mix of both cultures in terms of food, music, and celebrations. It's really fun. Both of my parents have supported me from a young age, and even till now. My dad used to be a basketball player, so ever since I started playing basketball in Year 7, he has helped me immensely by taking me to the gym and guiding me to become a talented player."

3. Who has been the biggest influence on your basketball career so far, and why?

"The biggest influence on my basketball career so far is my brother, who plays for a D1 university in America. I watched him play basketball growing up, which inspired me to pursue basketball as well."

4. As a student-athlete, how do you balance your time between basketball, studies, and social life?

"Being a student-athlete is not easy for me because CoLA is in South London, and I live in North London, so I have to travel every day to school. Balancing schoolwork with basketball is tough because I train every day. It's a big sacrifice, but to fulfill my dreams, I need to give up part of my teen life, like not going to parties as much or not having as much free time. But I have amazing teammates and coaches who work together like a family, so having that positive atmosphere motivates me to become successful."

5. What’s your favourite TV show right now, and what do you enjoy about it?

"My favourite TV show is Swagger, which is about a young boy fulfilling his basketball dreams by playing professional basketball. I enjoyed it because it showed how much hunger and belief he had to achieve his dreams and the hard work required to play professionally."

6. What’s one memorable moment from your time playing with the City of London Academy that stands out to you?

"One memorable moment from my time at CoLA is winning the WEABL finals against Copleston. We lost to them twice in the league, but we became champions in the end. That was also a game where I played really well."

7. You’ve achieved a lot at a young age. What goals have you set for yourself in the next few years, both on and off the court?

"Off the court, my goal is to achieve good grades and play at a high-level D1 school in America while studying. I hope to start earning a good amount of money at a fairly young age, around 20. On the court, I aim to improve my shooting and develop shifty skills like a point guard, even though I'm a forward."

8. How do your friends describe you, and how do they support you in your basketball career?

"My friends describe me as a 'beast,' and I have several friends who support me in my basketball career. They motivate me to fulfill my dreams and make my family, coaches, and friends proud."

9. What role does your racial identity play in how you perceive yourself and your interactions in different communities?

"I embrace my racial identity and am very comfortable with it. I grew up in a diverse community and feel perfectly fine interacting with different communities because I can fit in easily."

10. What kind of music do you like to listen to before a game to get pumped up?

"I like to listen to rap music by artists like Rob49, Gunna, Future, and Lucki. I also enjoy chill 2000s R&B music."

11. Who is your all-time favourite basketball player, and what have you learned from watching them play?

"My all-time favourite basketball player is JuJu Watkins. She has a high basketball IQ and knows how to handle the ball as a 6'2" point guard. Since I'm 6'1" and aspire to play as a point guard in the future, she has taught me to never give up on whatever I'm trying to accomplish."

12. What advice would you give to younger players who look up to you and want to excel in basketball?

"My advice to younger players who look up to me is to always think about the future they want and picture themselves becoming successful while making their friends, family, and coaches proud."

13. Finally, what’s something fun or surprising that people might not know about you?

"Something that people might not know about me is that I used to be a gymnast and played football before I started playing basketball."

Thank you, Adaora, for sharing your journey and insights with us. Your determination and drive are truly inspiring, and we look forward to following your continued success both on and off the court. Stay tuned to Beyond the Fast-Break for more inspiring stories from the world of basketball! Beyond the Fast Break is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.