Blessing Adebanjo: From Lagos markets to the NCAA, the Nigerian guard chasing her next big step

For Blessing Adebanjo, basketball was never part of the plan growing up in Lagos. It simply found her.

Before the courts, the whistles and the international opportunities, Adebanjo spent much of her childhood helping her mother at the family shop in Lagos. It was during those ordinary afternoons that a chance encounter would change the trajectory of her life.

“Basketball just found me,” Adebanjo told Ball Chat with Kenny in an exclusive interview.

A local coach, Charles, often visited the market with his players to buy groceries. Each time he saw Adebanjo, he urged her mother to allow the young girl try the sport.

“Coach Charles usually came to our market with his tall, giant boys to get groceries,” she recalled. “Every time he saw me, he would tell my mom to stop making me sell and let me come play basketball.”

Curiosity eventually got the better of her. One day, she visited a stadium to watch a game. What began as a simple visit soon turned into the start of a basketball journey.

“I went to the stadium one day, sat down, and watched some guys play, and I loved it,” she said. “I registered and started practicing, and my journey was very fast.”

With the support of coaches and players who helped nurture her talent, Adebanjo quickly developed into a promising player. She went on to feature for several Nigerian clubs, including Deep Waters, MFM, and First Bank, before an opportunity abroad reshaped her career.

Building a career in Japan

Adebanjo’s next chapter took her thousands of miles away from home to Japan, where she would further develop her game.

The transition was far from straightforward.

“Adjusting to a new system, a new culture, and a different style of play wasn’t easy at first,” she explained.

But those early challenges helped lay the foundation for her growth. By the time she reached Yamanashi Gakuin University, Adebanjo felt her game had evolved significantly.

“At Yamanashi, my game really elevated,” she said. “It wasn’t just about fundamentals anymore. It was about growth in every aspect — stepping into leadership, becoming more consistent, and understanding the game at a higher level.”

Japan’s structured basketball environment helped sharpen her decision-making and discipline, while life off the court helped her mature personally.

“Mentally, it pushed me a lot,” she said. “I was competing at a high level while also adapting to a completely different environment.”

Support from teammates, coaches and the wider school community played a key role in helping her settle.

“That gave me confidence in who I am as a player and as a person,” Adebanjo added.

The NCAA challenge

This season, Adebanjo took another significant step in her career by moving to the United States to compete in the NCAA, joining the University of Arizona.

The move represented a chance to test herself against some of the best college talent in the world.

“Coming to Arizona was about taking the next step and challenging myself at a higher level,” she said.

However, the adjustment proved demanding. Adebanjo arrived in the United States just weeks before the season began, giving her little time to adapt to the team’s system compared to her teammates who had been preparing months earlier.

“I got to the States around September, just a month or two before the season started, while most of my teammates had been there since April,” she said.

Learning quickly while competing at a high level forced her to grow rapidly.

“I’m the kind of player that adapts and grows with time, so having to speed up that process in such a short window pushed me a lot,” she explained.

By the time she began to rediscover her rhythm and confidence, the season had already reached its midpoint.

Still, Adebanjo views the experience as an important learning curve.

“It forced me to grow up quickly, stay strong through adversity, and learn more about myself as a player and as a person,” she said.

Looking ahead

Now entering the NCAA transfer portal as a sophomore, Adebanjo is focused on finding the right environment to continue her development.

“For me, it’s about finding the right fit,” she said. “A program that believes in my potential and is willing to invest in me, both on and off the court.”

She emphasised the importance of strong coaching, a supportive team culture, and a system that allows her to play with confidence.

“I want to be somewhere where I can continue to develop my game, build consistency, and contribute at a high level,” she explained.

Equally important is the sense of connection within a team.

“I’m looking for a strong locker room culture — not just teammates, but sisters,” she said. “A team where there’s real connection, friendship and family.”

Dreaming of D’Tigress

Despite building her career across multiple continents, Adebanjo’s roots remain firmly in Nigeria.

The Lagos-born guard says representing the national team, D’Tigress, would be a dream come true.

“Definitely, I would be honoured,” she said. “Representing Nigeria would mean everything to me. That’s home — where my journey started and where I first fell in love with the game.”

While she has yet to be contacted by the national team setup, Adebanjo says she is ready if the opportunity comes.

“Not yet,” she said when asked if the federation had reached out. “But I’m definitely open and ready for that opportunity.”

For now, her focus remains on continuing to improve and positioning herself for the next chapter of her career.

“I’m focused on growing my game and being prepared,” she said.

From helping at her mother’s shop in Lagos to competing on the global stage, Adebanjo’s journey has already taken her across continents. Yet, for the Nigerian guard, the most important chapters may still lie ahead.