
Redshirt junior guard Obadiah Curtis grew up playing basketball, but he didn’t start taking it seriously until the age of 13.
Since then, the Fresno, California, native made a name for himself at Edison High School. Curtis was named the team’s most valuable player and a first team All-Conference player as a senior.
After his senior year, Curtis committed to Allen Hancock College before transferring to Reedley College in Reedley, California. Throughout his time with the Reedley Tigers, Curtis averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in the 2022-2023 season.
Coming out of junior college, Curtis got the opportunity to play in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to play Division I basketball at Arkansas State. Curtis committed to play for the Red Wolves but redshirted to save a year of eligibility.
After announcing his decision to enter the transfer portal, Curtis talked to Eastern’s coaching staff and ultimately felt that Eastern was the right fit for him not only as a basketball player but also as a man.
Throughout the season, Curtis is averaging 6.2 points per game, as he also recorded a total of 31 rebounds, 10 steals and six blocks.
In this Q&A, Curtis discusses who inspired him to pick up a basketball, why he believes LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time and what his walkout song would be.
Q: When did you first start playing basketball?
A: “I started playing basketball around 8 years old. I’ve always played with my brothers and sisters in the front yard, but I actually started to play basketball for club teams around 13 years old.”
Q: Why did you choose to initially go to Arkansas State?
A: “Coming out of JUCO, it was a great school, and it was a great opportunity for me.”
Q: Who on the team are you giving the aux to?
A: “I’m going to give the aux to Malik Olafioye.”
Q: Pancakes or waffles?
A: “I’m a waffle guy.”
Q: Do you put anything on your waffles?
A: “Just syrup, nothing else.”
Q: Who is the G.O.A.T. in basketball?
A: “LeBron Raymone James [Sr]. The greatest person to ever pick up a basketball, the greatest person to ever look at a basketball. I say that as I have a Michael Jordan poster on my wall. LeBron Raymone James. He’s the greatest basketball player. One of the greatest athletes to touch Earth.”
Q: Why do you think LeBron James is the best?
A: “Just think about what he’s doing: 40,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 10,000 assists. He’s been doing it for so long. He’s 6’8”, 260 [pounds] coming at you, the most athletic person on the court, best passer, fastest guy on the court. That’s just scary to see. He’s the smartest basketball player ever. I can go on and on.”
Q: Who is your favorite NBA team?
A: “Whatever team LeBron James is on.”
Q: Who inspired you to play basketball?
A: “I got to say my sister Addie Curtis and my uncle Gilbert [Myles], rest in peace. He just passed away recently, but those were my two inspirations to pick up a basketball.”
Q: Do you have any secret talents?
A: “I can juggle. That’s really the biggest one.”
Q: How many things can you juggle at a time?
A: “I can do four.”
Q: There’s a one-point difference in the game. Would you rather have the game winning shot or the game winning block?
A: “I probably take the game winning block. I feel like that’s devastating to another team, getting their shot blocked to end the game. It’s a little demoralizing. Next time we see that person again, he’s not going to want to take that shot.”
Q: If you weren’t playing basketball, would you play another sport?
A: “Yeah, I’d play football. I’d play wide receiver.”
Q: Who is your favorite NBA player?
A: “My personal favorite player of all time is Allen Iverson. I grew up watching him. The swag he brought to the game, how hard he played day in and day out embodies truly having a heart for the game. Growing up, I knew I wasn’t going to be a 6’8” 260 [pound] player, but I know I could play hard like Iverson did.”
Q: Do you think the Earth is round or flat?
A: “I’m a flat Earther. I’m a big conspiracy theorist, and I question everything.”
Q: Do you believe aliens are real?
A: “Aliens are for sure real. Just think about it. There are over 1,000 other planets in the universe. Why would this be the only planet with life on it? They maybe don’t show as aliens, but I feel like there is a form of life out there.”
Q: Why did you choose to transfer to Eastern?
A: “Speaking to the coaching staff, everyone sounded really genuine, and I can say all that is true. The coaches are great, and I feel like this is the environment where I can grow as a basketball player and a young man.”
Q: What is your favorite memory with the team thus far?
A: “Winning our first league game. I feel like that was big for us, just getting it rolling. Hopefully here soon, we can turn it around and get a lot of wins. I know we can. We just have to continue to come together as a team and do great things. It always feels good to win.”
Q: In a perfect world, what would be your postgame meal?
A: “It’d probably be steak and asparagus over mashed potatoes. To be exact, a ribeye bone in with mashed potatoes with asparagus over the top.
Q: How do you like your steak cooked?
A: “I my steak medium, almost medium rare.”
Q: Who’s the funniest person on the team?
A: “I would have to say Terry [McMorris]. Terry’s the funniest person, and it’s unintentionally. It’s so unintentionally. Terry’s hilarious.”
Q: If you had a walkout song, what would it be?
A: “I got to think. That’s a hard one. I listen to a lot of different music, and it really just depends on the day. I’ll probably come out to ‘Rio Free’ by Rio Da Yung OG.”
Q: Knowing everything you know now, what would you tell 10-year-old you?
A: “I’d tell 10-year-old me to just stay the course, watch more film and never lose sight of the goal because there will be ups and downs throughout the journey. It’s all about staying consistent and chasing after what you want.”
Zaria Flippin can be reached at 581-2812 or at zhflippin@eiu.edu.