Victor Oladipo is proudly from the DMV; Maryland, more specifically. But Indiana quickly became a second home for the 22-year-old.
Oladipo is beginning his second year in the NBA.
Oladipo’s story has been well-documented, going from the 144th ranked high-school recruit, according to Rivals.com, to three years later being selected second overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.
Oladipo graduated in three years from Indiana University and helped lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen in 2013, his final season in Bloomington.
While he won’t be playing in Friday night’s exhibition game in Indianapolis due to a sprained MCL, he was sure to make the trip. It’s special for him.
“It’s a crazy feeling,” Oladipo said. “You know what I mean? I’m not even from here. I have no history here except my three years here in Indiana and they treat me like I’ve been here all my life. It’s a blessing and an honor to part of something bigger than yourself.”
Oladipo started 44 of 80 games during his rookie campaign, and averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest.
Jacque Vaughn, 39, who’s entering his third season as the team’s head coach, said he’s expecting a big leap from Oladipo after his first season.
“I think that’s a huge year for guys, from [year] one to [year] two,” he said. “They know a little bit more out to train, how to prepare themselves. He took the task of eating better, kind of transforming his body a little bit, understanding what it felt like to play 30 minutes a game and being able to do it three games in five nights. I think that helped, a little transformation in the offseason. He worked on his skills, whether that was his ball handling, simulating a little bit in exercising how to make reads out of pick-and-rolls. That part of him kind of missed out on the preseason a little bit and I wish he was able to take part.”
The team hasn’t set a timetable for Oladipo’s return, but the tenacious guard is encouraged and says he’s been able to do more each day. Meanwhile, his coach isn’t too worried about him missing significant time.
“Not a big concern on my part at all,” Vaughn said.
Watch VigilantSports.com’s one-on-one interview with Oladipo below: