From Newcastle United’s academy to the NBA

When it comes to superstar student athletes, you can find them in many schools. These individuals typically possess superior physical abilities and attributes that ensure their dominance in various sports. Tosan Evbuomwan knows exactly what it feels like to be one.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Evbuomwan shared his journey from being primarily focused on football as a young athlete to pursuing his dream of playing top-class basketball in the NBA.

Originally from Newcastle, Evbuomwan is now residing in Detroit, Michigan, thousands of miles away from his hometown. After the NBA Draft in June 2023, he signed a ‘free agent contract’ with the Detroit Pistons, which makes him part of their roster. Although there are no guarantees of playing time on the court, he has the opportunity to play for their affiliated teams and participate in daily practices, giving him a chance to secure a full-time spot on the team as the new season starts.

This challenge of not being an automatic selection or the ‘go-to’ guy is something Evbuomwan is embracing as a 6ft 8in forward.

The Journey So Far

Evbuomwan’s path to the NBA could have been a Premier League one. He signed with Newcastle United, his home-city team, as a seven-year-old. However, by the age of 12, he realized that football was not his passion. Despite his talent and the youth academy’s desire to keep him, Evbuomwan fell out of love with the game and took a step back for a few years.

During his break from football, he started playing basketball at a lower level with his friends. Eventually, he joined a local team at the age of 14 and caught the attention of Luol Deng, a well-known British basketball player. Evbuomwan had the opportunity to participate in a basketball camp organized by Deng, and his talent and dedication led to representing Great Britain at youth level and playing club basketball for the Newcastle Eagles Under-18s.

In order to fulfill the entry requirements for the NBA, Evbuomwan needed to study at an American college. With the help of his coach Ian MacLeod, he created a highlights reel that caught the attention of colleges. He eventually joined Princeton in New Jersey, where he studied economics. Evbuomwan impressed during his time in college, proving that he belonged at a high level.

Aiming for the NBA Breakthrough

After his successful college career, Evbuomwan decided to forego his final year to make himself eligible for the NBA. Although he wasn’t selected high enough to secure a roster spot, he received a free agent contract, which gives him the best chance of playing in the NBA soon.

Evbuomwan already had the opportunity to represent the Pistons during the NBA Summer League. Now, he’s hoping to follow that up with a regular-season game. With the backing of Pistons head coach Monty Williams, Evbuomwan played in their opening pre-season game alongside well-known players like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.

With the NBA season starting soon, Evbuomwan is excited for the opportunity to prove himself and show what he can do on the court.

As the NBA season commences on 24-25 October, all eyes are on Evbuomwan as he aims to make his NBA debut and continue his incredible journey from a young football enthusiast to a potential basketball star.