Ugo Enzema had an interesting journey to local basketball.
It started out as a hobby growing up in his native Jamaica. It stayed that way after Enzema, 22, came here last fall for medical school. It would take a chance meeting with members of Cayman’s basketball fraternity to turn Enzema into a player on team Philippines.
“I’ve been here a year since I started med school last August at St. Matthew’s University,” Enzema said. “I’m originally from Nigeria but I moved to Jamaica when I was young. After that I went to school in Louisiana at Nicholls State University. I started playing basketball in Jamaica at 13 in the parks. I’ve done basketball now for 10 years, most of that time at a leisurely pace.
“It was only until I got here did I do it competitively. When I first got here I played out at the Cayman Islands Basketball Association Court near Cox Lumber. I saw a bunch of guys who were in the national men’s basketball league and a couple of teams approached me. Christian Ferrer, along with Chris Lucas, approached me and we had a definite chemistry and friendship. That’s how I got my start.”
Enzema’s introduction to Cayman basketball’s top flight was potent. In his rookie season this year, Enzema averaged 7.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 12 games. Enzema, who is 6ft 2in tall and weighs 198 pounds, was a big reason why team Philippines made the division one playoffs for the first time in their five-year history.
Enzema, who turns 23 this month, states he was happy to guide the side to a third seed with a 7-5 record.
“Things went well for us. It’s the first time we’ve made the playoffs and I’m happy to have pushed the guys on to that. It’s a lot of fun. My defence improved through playing in the league. I rebounded better, I chose better shots, all things I had to learn. It was a great experience because I got a different insight into basketball. It was a new and valuable experience.”
It would be a short postseason run for team Philippines. The side was swept in the opening round by the two-time defending champions Wolves. Enzema had a good series with six points, six rebounds and two blocks in game one followed by nine points, eight rebounds and two blocks in game two. In spite of facing talents like Timmy Myles and Brandon Glasgow, Enzema states it was good to battle the Wolves.
“The Wolves are a very good team with good individual players. They got more physical than I thought but that’s what playoff basketball is all about. Their intensity and physicality caught us off guard in the first game. I think they wanted to win more than us and that’s why we lost 114-83. In the second game we tried to bounce back but we lost 101-87. I would have liked to go one more game with them because I think we had a good chance of taking a game.
“In any case it’s an honour to play against them as they are the defending champions and all. I’m looking forward to our team taking them on again, especially if they three-peat, so that we can make a statement.”
The Wolves are currently in the league finals taking on the Dominos Warriors. The best-of-five series is a rematch of last year’s championship, which the Wolves claimed in four games. Game one was supposed to take place last Thursday. However that match was postponed until last Sunday at the Arts and Recreation Centre (the venue for the finals) due to a controversial scheduling conflict. Game two is slated to take place this Tuesday 7 June at 6pm with games three and four tentatively slated for this Thursday and Sunday.
Enzema states the series is evenly matched as both teams feature star talent.
“It’s up for grabs and they both have good point guards and big men. It’s very interesting and should be a good series. I would like for it to go five games. Dominos have something to prove. From playing against both of them they’re evenly matched. The Wolves’ strengths are rebounding and three-point shooting while Dominos are good with penetration and rebounding.
“The match-up to watch is between Dominos’ Borislav Djordjic and Wolves’ Dwight O’Garro. Borislav is a 30-point, 12-rebound player who can make shots and is hard to defend. He has a team-mate in Collin Anglin who can get 30 points on a good day. Dwight meanwhile is effective on offence. But he has a point guard in Vanrick Felix who gets the team involved and is physical. Then there is Gary ‘Butcher’ McLaughlin who has a disgusting shot, especially from three. They’re a solid group.”
Ultimately Enzema’s time in Cayman appears limited. He is half-way through school and has intentions of going abroad to finish his studies. Nevertheless he states Cayman will always be a special place because he developed his love for basketball here.
“I’m only here for a year and a half because I’m doing five semesters, including a summer one. I’m in my first year and I have a fall and spring semester left. I’ll probably stay on for exams. If I do then I’ll play again for the Filipinos. It couldn’t be anyone else because I would like to see them in the finals.
“I love basketball, it’s something about it. It’s right next to football as my favourite sport. I love to do it and it was exciting to see the tense side of it. I have the heart and motivation to do it and I hate losing. It’s not just about playing though as a big reason why I played in the national league was to understand the sport at this level.
“Mind you it can’t compare to the National Basketball Association but you can understand how a team works. I want to be more knowledgeable about the sport and in turn be a better player. I cannot thank team Philippines enough for this opportunity.”
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