Olaoluwatomi "Tomi" Taiwo is living her dream as she prepares to compete in basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympics representing Team Nigeria. Taiwo characterizes her TCU student athlete path as infused with poise, empathy, and a proactive approach to life.
July 26, 2024
By Amber Billops
Throughout her life, Olaoluwatomi “Tomi” Taiwo has woven academic excellence with athletic prowess. Both talents came together at TCU, where she earned her MBA, shaping her as she prepared to compete on the international stage this summer representing Nigeria at the Olympics.
"Being able to represent Team Nigeria has been a goal since my first year of college," said Taiwo ‘23 MSBA. "It means everything to say that I'm representing my home country and to be one of the 12 girls chosen to represent an entire nation. We take pride in who we are, the way we fight on and off the court, and our rich culture."
Taiwo is particularly excited to play alongside Amy Okonkwo, a fellow TCU alumna with experience on the Nigerian national team. Although they didn't play together at TCU, Okonkwo provided Taiwo with valuable insights into their Olympic team and the journey ahead. They join a record number of athletes representing TCU at the Olympics, and will compete in an Olympics that has reached gender parity for the first time, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Taiwo said her academic experience at Neeley was significant in her development.
“It shaped me into a better entrepreneur, intentional thinker, and a decision-maker. They teach you about how to run a business, how to look at numbers, and how to tell a story with those numbers using different software. We also worked on our people skills, which helped us become better business leaders."
Balancing the demands of being a student-athlete was one of Taiwo's significant challenges. Juggling assignments and tests with the need to travel for games or tournaments required clear, transparent communication.
"Communicating effectively with my classmates and professors was crucial. I had to ensure they understood that I was committed to both academics and basketball," she said.
Reflecting on her journey, Taiwo emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong sense of identity beyond sports. She believes that athletic achievements are only a part of one's persona and stresses the need for balance and self-awareness, as there will come a day when the athletic career ends.
"Whatever accomplishments you achieve on the court; they don't define you as a person. It's only a part of you,” she said.
Taiwo encourages having passions outside of sports, being a role model through wise decisions both on and off the court, and living life with dignity. She advocates for hard work, appreciating each moment, and being grateful for the current moment.
A core piece of Taiwo's identity is formed by her family and faith. The name "Taiwo" on her jersey represents her deep connection to her roots and her appreciation for the friends who have supported her journey.
"In my life, God always comes first, and I greatly emphasize my family," she said.
Omobola Taiwo, Tomi’s mother, reflects on obstacles Tomi had to overcome and how those challenges shaped her into the woman and player she is today. Her mother said, Taiwo’s smaller stature compelled her to hone her shooting skills to perfection as a guard. Additionally, frequent family relocations to new homes meant changing high schools and joining new basketball clubs across different states, making her adaptable and well-prepared for her collegiate basketball career.
“In response to these challenges, Tomi has dedicated extensive hours in the gym, relentlessly refining her basketball abilities,” Omobola Taiwo said, describing her daughter. “Her hard work has paid off, earning her consistent recognition as an elite three-point shooter across various competitive levels. Beyond basketball, Tomi finds strength in her deep faith in God and cherishes her family and friends dearly.”
Tomi Taiwo takes to the court for her first Olympic game this week on Monday, July 29, and she said she is prepared to put into action the lessons she learned as she proudly represents her supporters and loved ones on the world stage.
