I think it’s fair to say that I’m a man of faith.
I’ve always believed that God has a purpose and plan for each of us—and that if you trust in Him, you can achieve anything.
Without faith, I’m not sure where I’d be today. It’s been my compass that’s guided me from growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to playing basketball for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and everywhere in between.
I’ve experienced moments of joy, heartbreak, and uncertainty. Yet through it all, I’ve trusted that every step—no matter how confusing at the time—was leading me exactly where I was meant to go.
Looking back now, I’m just thankful to be here, living out the dreams I had as a kid.
A Leap of Faith
When I was 14, I found myself at a crossroads. I was going through a difficult time, unsure of the kind of man I wanted to become. Around then, basketball entered my life.
My cousin gave me an idea that sounded crazy at first: fast for three days and pray to God about what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t know what to expect, but I decided to do it.
On the second day, I had a vivid dream about a school that was yellow and blue. It seemed random, almost meaningless. But an hour after the fast ended, my mom called and told me she was getting my papers ready to go to Canada to play basketball.
I was stunned.
Not long after, my uncle called and offered to sponsor me to come to the United States to play basketball and go to school instead.
Just a few weeks later, I was on a plane to Colorado.
That moment changed my life forever. It was the first clear sign that when I put my trust in God, He would open doors I could never have imagined.
From Kinshasa to Omaha
I was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in Kinshasa, DRC. For several years, my family moved between Congo and South Africa before eventually settling in South Africa.
Like most kids in my neighborhood, I grew up playing soccer. But I never truly loved it.
Then one day, I stumbled upon an NBA game on TV—the Warriors were playing the Cavaliers. I’ll never forget the moment I saw LeBron James dunk on someone. It was electric.
Right then, I knew: I wanted to play basketball.
The only problem? Basketball wasn’t big in South Africa. I didn’t even have a hoop to practice on. So I improvised—I drew a circle on my garage wall and pretended it was a rim. Every day, I’d shoot at that imaginary hoop, picturing myself on a real court someday.
That dream fueled me. And when my cousin suggested I pray and fast, I knew it was time to ask God for guidance.
I told Him I wanted to go somewhere I could develop my skills and become the best version of myself.
And He answered.
When my uncle offered to bring me to America, I knew this was the opportunity I’d been praying for. I was 14 years old, flying across the world by myself, chasing a dream that started in front of a painted garage wall.
The Basketball Journey
When I arrived in Colorado, I enrolled at the Denver Waldorf School. To be honest, I didn’t know much about basketball beyond what I’d seen on TV. I was tall—6’5”—and athletic, but raw.
Thankfully, I met Coach Bob Caton, who saw something in me.
He took me under his wing and taught me the game from the ground up. We watched film together, read books about basketball, and spent hours in the gym refining the basics. Slowly, I started to understand what it took to compete at a higher level.
After my junior year, I transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas to face tougher competition. Playing against some of the best high school players in the country pushed me to grow faster than I ever expected.
Then the pandemic hit.
My senior season was cut short, and like many athletes, I had to pivot. I enrolled at Butler Community College, where I spent two years working on my game and rebuilding my confidence.
During that time, I got in touch with the coaches at Omaha. I was really interested in joining their program, but it didn’t work out that time around.
I ended up at Lindenwood University for a season and in a twist I could only laugh about later, I ended up playing against Omaha while I was there.
After that season, I entered the transfer portal again—and this time, Omaha called.
Life as a Maverick
From the beginning, what stood out to me about Omaha was the honesty.
Coach Crutchfield and Coach Brown were upfront about my role and what they expected. That honesty built trust, and it allowed me to focus on how I could best help the team.
My first year here required me to make some sacrifices. I had to adjust my game, accept a new role, and focus on what the team needed rather than what I wanted.
But it paid off—we won the regular-season championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Playing against St. John’s on that stage was surreal. For a kid who once shot jumpers at an imaginary hoop in South Africa, it felt like a dream come true.
As I head into this season, I’m embracing my growth as both a player and a leader. Coach Crutch has challenged me to lead—not just with words, but with understanding.
Being a leader isn’t always about being the loudest or the best player; it’s about helping your teammates reach their potential and setting an example through your actions.
Beyond the Game
Basketball has given me incredible opportunities, but I’ve come to realize there’s more to life than the game.
That’s why I’m pursuing a degree in psychology, along with a minor in marketing. I’ve always been fascinated by how people think and why they make the choices they do. Someday, I hope to use that knowledge to help others, especially young athletes navigating the same challenges I faced.
I’ve also started a brand called Omega Instinct. My goal is to teach youth in Africa how to use their talents and energy in positive, healthy ways—to help them believe that they can achieve anything through faith, hard work, and discipline.
When I think about my journey—from Kinshasa to Omaha, from a garage wall to Division I basketball—it’s impossible not to see God’s hand in it all.
None of it has been easy, but every struggle has shaped me into who I am today.
I’m still chasing my dreams of playing professionally, but I know that whatever happens, I’ll continue to trust the same faith that brought me this far.
Because if there’s one thing my story proves, it’s that when you believe in God, stay humble, and keep working, anything is possible.