Born in Nigeria and raised in Canada, Agada has made contributing to both a staple of his offseasons.
Prometey's Agada values basketball summers in Canada and Nigeria
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Canada and Nigeria are a major part of Caleb Agada’s background and still play a major role in his summers. The Prometey Slobozhanske forward enjoys playing hoops back in Canada, does charity work for both countries and thanks his African roots for one of his greatest basketball experiences.
Agada has made a name for himself in Europe with Prometey. After averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season in taking the club to the EuroCup semifinals, the guard has helped the club return to the postseason with 10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
“EuroCup is the highest level basketball I’ve ever played. It’s very competitive and very fun. When I started playing basketball I didn’t know how far the journey would lead me, but I’m grateful it brought me here,” the 29-year-old said.
Agada was born in Lafia, Nigeria, and moved to Canada when he was 6 years old. He was raised in Burlington, just outside of the basketball hotbed Toronto.
He attended the University of Ottawa and helped the Gee-Gees reach the championship game of the Canadian U Sports tournament in both 2014 and 2015. Both times Agada and his team lost to arc-rivals Carleton - the other major university in the city of Ottawa - who were led by the brothers Philip and Thomas Scrubb.
Agada remained close to the basketball scene in Canada and regularly returned there in summer, often playing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).
“The CEBL is still a relatively new league, however, it’s a great league and is growing every year. I enjoy playing in it as it gives me an opportunity to play at home. And it gives opportunities to aspiring and current professionals to either begin their journey at home or play at home. It is very compatible and the level is increasing every year,” said Agada, who made brief appearances in the league in 2019 and 2020.
In the summer of 2021, Agada did not play in the CEBL because he represented Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics, where the Africans ended up losing all three games.
“It was a great experience, it was very difficult making that team, but I always believed in myself and was able to do so,” said Agada, who scored 17 points in a 90-87 preparation victory for Nigeria over the United States before the Olympics.
“Not too many people get that kind of opportunity so, despite the results, I’m grateful to have been able to experience it.”
Agada was back in the CEBL in 2022 and helped his local team, the Hamilton Honey Badgers, to the title.
"It was a great experience, something I wanted to be a part of as a professional. We had a great group of players and coaches, we were connected the whole year and winning that championship wasn’t too difficult, but was very fun and rewarding,” Agada said.
Agada has begun to use his popularity in basketball to start giving back to the community - both in Canada and Nigeria. He holds an annual AgadaBall camp in Burlington and also has the Agada Ball Charity and AgadaBall Classic to help kids in Nigeria.
“I just wanted to give back to the communities that raised me. I help the youth basketball community in Otukpo, Nigeria, and in the Burlington and Hamilton region in Canada. I have more projects coming in 2024,” Agada promised.
Agada continues to show how much Canada and Nigeria mean to him.