Since leaving Clondalkin for New York to play for a prep school at just 14 years of age, he has spoken frequently of his dream to reach the NBA and of “blasting a trail” for Irish basketball.
He aimed to be only the second Irish-born player to make the world’s top competition, following in the footsteps of Offaly’s Pat Burke.
There was good reason to believe Igiehon could do it when ESPN ranked him 36th out of the 545,000 players in American high schools in 2018.
He would struggle for game-time at Louisville University following injury and transferred to Arizona’s Grand Canyon University in 2021 before spending last season in Abilene Christian University.
Undrafted after five years of US college basketball, the 24-year-old returns home to play for his old club Dublin Lions in the second tier. So, is the NBA still a possibility?
“Why not?” he says flatly. “It’s just a matter of if you’re good enough. You have people that are getting a look-in in Serbia or even in the UK. And I know the work I have to put in.
“No matter where I am, as long as I’m getting better I think I always have a good shot because I’m blessed with God-given tools; my height, how athletic I am, my stature and my frame.
“And people might say, ‘Oh look, he’s come home’. Nobody knows how much work I put in so, at the end of the day, if I just keeping getting better, I still think there’s a good chance.”
The dream remains alive but there were good reasons to come home.
The Dubliner and some old friends last year established the Igiehon Elite Academy here which offers tailored training programmes for teenagers at €150 a month.
His new business has enjoyed early success. Four of the 50 teenagers he brought on a Stateside trip this year earned US college scholarships worth about $60,000 (€54,000) each.
His connections in the States have helped as Terry Okodogbe from Navan joined Igiehon’s old prep school in New York, the Lawrence Woodmere Academy.
Another US-bound protégé, 18-year-old Céadan Ash, is an inch taller than Igiehon. These green shoots have ensured plans to expand the programme.
“I’ve always had a delusion of grandeur, which basically means I always think everything I do is going to blow up. I always think I’m going to make it much further than I probably am.
“That’s just testament to how hard I work and that I’m just a very positive person. And I think it [the academy] has gone as far as I thought it would go.”
Igiehon’s return to Dublin has seen him spend his longest spell at home with his mother, originally from Lagos, since he left to pursue his basketball dream as a teenager.
Family took on greater significance recently, as his father passed away in the United States earlier this year. Igiehon struggled to come to terms with this harsh reality.
“With the passing of my dad it’s been a bit tough for me, I’m not going to lie. I’m pushing forward and I’m keeping busy but every game I play will be for him.”
This makes his quest with the Dublin Lions, the club where he first fell in love with hoops, all the more significant. As a new season commences this weekend, their primary aim is promotion to the top flight.
“The goal is to make the Super League and I want to make that happen for them. I’m going to be playing with a few guys I played with when I was younger so it’s going to be fun.”
OPENING WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday
Men’s Super League: Ballincollig v Éanna, MTU Arena, 4.0; Belfast Star v Neptune, Newforge Sports Complex, 6.30; UCD Marian v Killorglin, UCD Sports Centre, 7.0; Templeogue v Maree, Nord Anglia, 7.0; Killester v St Vincent’s, Oblate Hall, 7.15
Women’s Super League: St Pauls v Liffey Celtics, Presentation Gym, 4.0; Killester v Waterford Wildcats, Oblate Hall, 4.45; Fr Mathews v Mystics, Fr Mathews Arena, 5.0
Men’s Division 1: Team Northwest v Ulster University, ATU, 5.0; Tipp Talons v Limerick Celtics, Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, 6.30; Malahide v Carrick Cruisers, Malahide Community School, 7.0; Tolka Rovers v Drogheda Wolves, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex, 7.0; Portlaoise Panthers v Dublin Lions, St Mary’s Hall, 7.0; Titans v Killarney Cougars, Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre, 7.0; Maigh Cuilinn v Limerick Sport Eagles, University of Galway Kingfisher, 7.30; Waterford Vikings v Scotts Lakers Killarney, SETU College Hall, 7.30
Women’s Division 1: Cleveland Rockets v Cavan Eagles, Lisburn Racquets Club, 3.0; Swords Thunder v Tolka Rovers ALSAA, 5.30; Dublin Lions v Oblate Dynamos, Coláiste Bríde, 5.30; Limerick Sport Huskies v Limerick Celtics, St Munchins College, 5.30; Marble City Hawks v Templeogue, O’Loughlin Gaels, 6.0
Sunday
Men’s Super League: UCC Demons v Tralee Warriors, Mardyke Arena, 4.0
Women’s Super League: Glanmire v Trinity Meteors, Mardyke Arena, 1.30; Portlaoise Panthers v Brunell, St Mary’s Hall, 3.30
