As the German Basketball Federation (DBB) announced on Tuesday evening (May 17, 2022), Okulaja died in Berlin at the age of 46. There is no information on the cause of death so far.
DBB President Weiss: “We are shaken”
“We are devastated and just can’t believe Ademola’s death. Our thoughts are now with his family, who we wish a lot of strength“said DBB President Ingo Weiss: “Ademola was as great a player as he was a human. I personally lost a great basketball friend and will miss him dearly.“
Okulaja, known as “The Warrior” (the fighter), was one of the most influential faces in German basketball and the emotional leader of the national team for years. The Nigerian made his debut in the jersey with the eagle in May 1995 in Weert, the Netherlands. His greatest success was winning the bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships in the USA alongside superstar Dirk Nowitzki.
172 caps for “Warrior” Okulaja
In all, Okulaja, who recovered from cancer diagnosed in 2008, has won 172 caps and captained the team for several years. September marks the 20th anniversary of the Indianapolis bronze coup. Okulaja’s death will then overshadow the fond memories of the coup.
In the Bundesliga, Okulaja played for Alba Berlin, RheinEnergie Cologne and Brose Bamberg. The power forward, who after four years at US college was also active at numerous top European clubs such as FC Barcelona, won the Korac Cup (1995) and the championship (2000) with the Berliners.
Career as a manager – including Dennis Schröder
After persistent back problems, Okulaja had missed the Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens and Beijing 2008. A little later it turned out that a tumor had caused a fracture of the seventh thoracic vertebra – paralysis threatened. “I was very fortunate in misfortune“, the winger later said, not returning to the pitch.
Bamberg separated from Okulaja in the summer of 2009 despite the current contract. A year later he announced the end of his career and later looked after NBA professional Dennis Schröder as manager, among others. Okulaja, son of a German father and a Nigerian father, played his last international match in September 2007. Okulaja scored 1794 points in the national jersey and played at six European Championships.
“We will always fondly remember the struggling and never giving up Ademola who always left everything on the field. Rest in peace“said Weiss.
“Way too early… Take care up there!“Brose Bamberg tweeted in response to the bad news. FC Bayern also mourned: “Rest In Peace Warriors!“
Source: sid