Afrobasket Champion Aminu takes up a new challenge
Nigeria’s D’tigers star and Afrobasket champion Alade Aminu has made a giant leap from the field of play and into the fashion arena after starting Prime Figure clothing line. In a chat with Fever Pitch, the former Miami Heats player spoke about his inspir
What was that experience likerepresenting Nigeria and Africa in front of millions of viewers in recent years?
Since starting the journey of playing basketball with my Nigerian national team it has been a truly humbling experience. My first encounter was back in 2012. The team was getting ready for preparation for the summer. I was just finishing coming off a championship in France where I was beat from the season and wanted to relax for the summer. However, my brother and my girl were pushing me to join the team and do something special, as they were competing in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Caracas, Venezuela. I had never been to South America at the time so I thought traveling to a new country and playing with my bro for the first time would be a great experience and could be a like a vacation as well. Once joining the team, I quickly realized what putting on that Nigerian national team jersey meant and how, during that tournament, we were able to inspire millions back home in Nigeria as we qualified for the Olympics for the first time in history. For Nigerian basketball to partake in the 2012 Olympic London games…to be able to motivate and inspire people following me as I play this game is the reward, I believe. It’s a very proud feeling and honor to be able to be a role model and show people whether from Nigeria or from where I grew up in east Atlanta, that with hard work and belief, anything is possible. And that’s exactly what it took in that tournament to punch our ticket.
What inspired Prime Figure Clothing?
Prime Figure clothing is my clothing brand I started with a few of my friends during my season in Israel. It’s a streetwear brand that’s integrated with the message of motivating people to “Chase your dreams”; to not let fear rule your life. It really plays really well off my experiences and my life in general. That’s why I can 100% back and approve of Prime Figure’s cultivation to inspire and go after what you believe in. We started the brand in the summer of 2016 and the reception to the brand and message has been very positive. So we are looking forward to releasing upcoming new designs and pieces to come.
You currently offer bomber jackets and dad hats. What’s coming down the line for your brand? What attracted you to those items?
If you go on our site primefigureclo.com you will see our staple classic bomber jacket. This was our first product we put out for the brand. The sleek style jacket has been a great open for us to the public and has been a classic piece to build from. We then launched our Jackson Pollockinspired dad hats, which have also inspired our signature cursive logo. Coming up, we have new product jacket designs and comfortable workout or leisure clothing for women and some great street and fashion gear for men we’re excited to be dropping soon.
What are your ultimate goals for Prime Figure?
The ultimate goal for Prime Figure is to inspire and motivate the people. Even if it’s just one person that says because of your brand and message, I had the confidence and belief to chase my dreams. That we sparked a fire of ambition in that person to not let fear hold that person back from reaching their full potential. If we are able to bring along that type of motivation from the success of our clothes and message, then I can say we would be in tune with our ultimate goal.
It seems basketball and streetwear have a natural intersection. Have you been inspired by any other NBA players who’ve successfully made a name for themselves in both fashion and basketball?
I think guys like Lebron James and Amare Stoudemire along with D.Wade have great taste in clothes and style and I definitely feel they have been very forward and influential with their fashion. I can see Prime Figure being the same way as we continue to grow into an international name and presence.
Will Prime Figure and fashion in general become your full-time job at some point?
I can definitely see Prime Figure being a full-time job as it grows and gets bigger. We put a lot of passion and pride behind it and we are looking forward to it continuing to flourish and win the respect of people with the fashion and brand. I think so many opportunities and positives can come from the brand that I’m excited for it to continue to progress step by step. I know as we continue to put the right team together and partners, we will be an international brand that puts out great clothing and has many more following in our path as a result.