Iowa basketball signee Josh Ogundele set for return to U.S.
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – After weeks of waiting, incoming Iowa basketball center Josh Ogundele finally received word this week that he will be allowed to return to the U.S.
The London native has been in his hometown due to restrictions on international students traveling back to the U.S. amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19.
Those restrictions have since been lifted and Ogundele now prepares to join his Hawkeyes teammates.
When he got the news, the 6-foot-11, 255-pound Ogundele immediately tried to get an appointment to set the return process in motion.
“I was happy, basically,” Ogundele said. “After basketball practice, my friend messaged me, he was at the embassy’s open booking appointment clinic. So, I just called my mom real quick and told her to book an appointment.”
Ogundele still has to wait for his visa before he can travel to the U.S. and said that his return could take up to three weeks and he may have to quarantine for a period of time upon his arrival.
Though he has spent time at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, Ogundele still anticipates that there will be plenty of adjustments to college life.
“I’m from the city and Iowa City is a smaller city,” Ogundele said. “So, just the life in general. Just going around the dorms, getting used to campus, socializing with teammates and new people, making new friends. And obviously on the basketball side, I’m going have 24-hour access to a gym, or more access to a gym than I normally have. So, just working towards my goal.”