Fifteen Questions for Frances Edosomwan

By W.A. Myatt
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All rights reserved.

Francis Edosomwan earned a spot on the East Carolina basketball roster as a freshman walk-on for the 2011-12 season. The 6-feet, 3-inch, 220-pounder helped Charlotte Christian to a 27-6 record as a high school senior.

Edosomwan saw action in 15 games his first two seasons in the ECU program, playing a total of 20 minutes and scoring four points. His playing time has increased this season with the Pirates' shortened rotation. He has played in seven games, totaling 32 minutes. He has averaged 1.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game thus far in 2013-14.

With Brandan Stith out with a concussion against Tulane, Edosomwan played seven minutes and got five rebounds. He made both of his free throws for two points.

ECU coach Jeff Lebo credits Edosomwan's energy and hard work to improve. His full name is Uyioghosa Francis Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, but his coaches and teammates call him "Uyi."

Uyi took time to talk before practice earlier this week.

Q: Favorite Restaurant in Greenville?

A: Hibachi Japan.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: Breaking Bad.

Q: Who is your favorite NBA team?

A: I'm from Charlotte, so the Charlotte Bobcats. It's been a hard couple of years.

Q: What is your favorite thing about playing basketball for East Carolina?

A: The opportunity to play Division I basketball. The coaches let you play and learn from your mistakes, it's fun, it's like a dream come true for me.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about playing college basketball?

A: Being away from my family. We can't visit as much as regular students are able to. I just miss my family.

Q: Who's been the most influential person in your life?

A: My parents. They made me the person I am today. They instilled in me good, Godly values. They really made me the person I am — everything good about me, is because of them.

Q: How relieved are you and the team to pick up your first C-USA win?

A: It's great. Food actually tastes better, your day is happier, everyone's not on edge. It feels like we've got the monkey off of our back.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: Sleeping. Reading. Eating. I don't do much besides basketball and school, but I'm down for anything.

Q: What are your plans for after you graduate from East Carolina?

A: Hopefully, the plan is to go to medical school at Brody. I don't know what God has in store for me, but I'm ready to do it.

Q: How would you describe your role on the team this year?

A: It changes. It's evolved a little bit from being a practice player and just trying to help everybody, make sure they're doing what they need to do. I just try to be ready whenever I'm called on, bring energy and do whatever needs to be done so we can get a win.

Q: You really get a lot of support from the fans in Minges when you get in the game. How much does that mean to you?

A: It's a blessing. The fans just accept me, they're all behind me, behind the whole team. It gives me energy — when they're into it, I get even more into it. It makes me go even harder. I love them, I love the Minges Maniacs. The concept of family is so big here, I feel like everyone supports me. It's beautiful.

Q: What are your thoughts on the new East Carolina logo?

A: Honestly I can't really tell too big of a difference. Whatever they do, I'm going to be behind it. I trust them and I think it looks good.

Q: What is your favorite arena, besides Minges, that you've played in?

A: FIU's court is just really crazy. Memphis has a big-time atmosphere, but I'd say the best place I've played would be FIU.

Q: How would you describe Jeff Lebo, as a coach?

A: He's a people person. First of all, he's brutally honest. That's what you want, whether it's basketball, or anything you do in your life, you want someone that will tell you the truth. Whenever you're doing something wrong, he'll let you know and he'll tell you why. Some coaches have that bigger feel, but he's so down to earth, you can talk to him about almost anything. He believes in all of his players and he's a man of principles. It's just good to have a guy like that as your coach.

Q: What is your favorite memory playing basketball, at any level of competition?

A: Back in high school, I dunked on a guy from Oak Hill Academy. It was crazy — I like to think I'm sneakily athletic. When I dunked it, I didn't really know what was going on, it happened so fast. It was probably one of my better moments, but hopefully I can have some even better moments with ECU, by God's grace.

[See Uyi's dunk here at the 48 second mark in the following YouTube clip. Bonesville does not own this video.]

E-mail W.A. Myatt.

PAGE UPDATED 02/08/14 05:42 AM