USA Today recently reported on Talib Zanna, a basketball player from Nigeria who was inspired by fellow countryman and NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon to come to the United States to play basketball.  Three years ago, he came to the US to attend and play basketball for the private academy Bishop McNamara High School.  Due to his success on the court, Zanna was highly recruited for a number of college teams.  He has chosen to attend the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in the fall.

In Kuduna, Nigeria Zanna started playing for local clubs and received invitations to major basketball camps throughout Africa.  In Lagos, Nigeria, Zanna met the coach from Bishop McNamara High School, who was part of a contingent of high school and junior college coaches invited to run drills for the Nigerian teenagers.

Because of visa and financial issues, Zanna has not been home to visit his family since his arrival in the US, and his family has never visited him.  He communicates with his family through e-mail and telephone calls.  His host family pays for his high school tuition and books.

Not long after Zanna accepted the offer from Pitt, his father died. Zanna was unable to go to the funeral, but has plans to travel to Nigeria this summer to finally see his family again.  Zanna plans to study international business at Pitt, his father’s major of study in college.

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