Oladipo Delivers in Debut NBA Season

Victor Oladipo dunks against the defending NBA champion Miami Heat. Photo: AP

We’re now about one-quarter of the way through the National Basketball Association’s regular season, and Victor Oladipo is putting up numbers that make him a top contender for the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

I last blogged about Oladipo almost five months ago, shortly after he was selected #2 overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA Draft. The speedy and athletic guard said at that time he would continue to work hard to improve as a player, and the hard work is paying off.

Victor Oladipo goes up for a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers. Photo: AP

On December 3, in a 126-125 double overtime loss to the host Philadelphia 76ers, Oladipo had his best all-around NBA game, tallying 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, which were career-highs in all three categories.

He ranks in the top five among all NBA rookies in several categories, but in his words, “I got a long way to go. I’m just willing to work to get there.”

Victor Oladipo shoots under Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat. Photo: AP

Earlier in December, Oladipo returned here to the Washington area, where he played high school basketball. He wasn’t happy about the Magic losing to the Washington Wizards, 98-80, but he was delighted to play in front of friends and family at the Verizon Center arena.

Victor’s father, Chris, who is from Sierra Leone, was in attendance, and he watched his son play in the NBA for the first time. The elder Oladipo never attended his son’s games in high school or college.

Victor Oladipo said it was amazing to have his father at the game. He also describes himself as blessed and fortunate to play in the NBA.

In his debut season, Oladipo is delivering for the Magic and showing he has the talent and the dedication to succeed in basketball’s best league.