By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – From the moment he finally arrived in Iowa City last August, Josh Ogundele has been playing catch up from a conditioning standpoint.

The global pandemic was partly to blame because it kept Iowa’s 6-foot-11 freshman center in lockdown last spring and summer in his hometown of London, England.

Ogundele wasn’t able to participate in basketball-related activities or travel out of the country until last August.

By that time, however, Ogundele was overweight and out of shape, and also two months behind his Iowa teammates in offseason training and skill work.

But there was more to blame for Ogundele’s lack of conditioning than just the pandemic.

Ogundele admitted to the media on Tuesday that he didn’t handle the pandemic very well from a conditioning standpoint.

A poor diet, coupled with a lack of physical activity took a toll on his body.

So by the time last season started, Ogundele wasn’t ready to compete at the Big Ten level because he was out of shape to where just getting up and down the court was a problem.

He only appeared briefly in a few games in mop-up duty, even after power forward Jack Nunge suffered a season-ending knee injury against Michigan in late February.

“Last year, I was very mad at myself because I could have made a bigger impact than I did, especially with Jack Nunge being out,” Ogundele said. “But because my conditioning wasn’t there, I couldn’t do anything.

“This summer, I’ve just been working on conditioning because I know I have what it takes to play in the Big Ten. It’s just my conditioning that was a problem. So as soon as I get my conditioning, I think I’ll be very confident in playing next year and taking over.”

Ogundele was among five Iowa players that met with the media on Tuesday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The others were twin brothers Keegan and Kris Murray, and guards Tony Perkins and Austin Ash.

Ogundele, who is listed at 245 pounds, has lost about 13 pounds, but his main goal this summer is to turn fat into muscle as he attempts to fill the huge void left by 2021 National Player of the Year Luka Garza.

The center position was in good hands over the past four seasons thanks to Garza, who finished his career in March as Iowa’s all-time leading scorer.

“Obviously, I’ve got a long way to go,” Ogundele said. “But I’m really focusing on trying to add some muscle and change my body type rather than just losing a lot of weight. It feels weird, but after a while you get used to it.”

It also probably feels a little weird without having Garza on the team anymore.

Ogundele played against Garza every day in practice and tried to learn as much as he could, knowing that his opportunity would come.

“That’s the whole reason I came to Iowa,” Ogundele said. “Last year was a learning year, learn from Luka and see how the Big Ten is. And this year, I’m hoping to come in and fill a big role that he’s left.

“I’m not really worried, and I’m not shy. I think if I keep working this offseason that my time will come.”

Ogundele doesn’t lack for confidence. He seems convinced that with less weight and more muscle that he could provide a boost in the post.

Nobody expects him to be the second coming of Garza, but Iowa needs a post player to step up, and Ogundele is determined to fill that role.

He also will have competition from incoming freshman center Riley Mulvey, who skipped his senior year of high in order to start college a year sooner.

“I didn’t get to really workout last summer because of the complications with being stuck in the country,” Ogundele said. “But I want to say compared to last year, this year I’m moving much quicker. I’m more agile and more athletic. I’m dunking everything that I didn’t used to dunk before. I’m not getting tired during practice as much as I used to.”

Ogundele was like a sponge around Garza, soaking in all his advice and studying his every move in the post.

And even though Garza has moved, he and Ogundele still communicate.

“He gave me advice every day, every practice,” Ogundele said of Garza, who is now preparing for the 2021 NBA draft. “Even when he’s left now, sometimes, I still talk to him, and he’s telling me just work, hard work beats talent.

“Just work hard and your game will come. I know I’m skilled myself. The only problem was me running up and down the court, my stamina. I think if I get in tip-top shape I should be very good.”

Ogundele should feel that way because having confidence is a big part of anybody’s game.

He didn’t brag on Tuesday, or making any bold predictions. He just spoke confidently about his ability and vowed to be in shape when practice starts in October.

It would be easy to blame or criticize Ogundele for allowing himself to get out of shape.

But in fairness, he was in a tough situation with not be able to travel outside of his country because of the pandemic. He also dealt with health issues after arriving in Iowa City last August, and that set him back even more.

Ogundele hasn’t seen his family for nearly a year, but he plans to travel back to London once summer workouts are finished.

“I miss home, but it’s part of the lifestyle,” Ogundele said. “You have to sacrifice for the future.”

And for Ogundele, part of that sacrifice is eating better and working out on a daily basis. He tries to avoid eating carbohydrates and sugars, while also lifting weights on a regular basis to gain strength.

“Before I gained a lot of weight I used to run up and down (the court) a lot faster,” said Ogundele, who attended Worsester Academy in Worcester, Mass. “But now, as I’m losing more weight I can do things that I could do before, but that I couldn’t do last year. So running up and down is not a problem, especially as I’m losing more weight. That’s how you get easy buckets, out-running the bigs.”

Asked to describe his playing style; Ogundele focused on his versatility

“I want to say I’m quite fast for my size,” he said. “I can switch on to guards and do a good job getting stops. I can shoot. I’m not just a back-to-the basket big. I can step out and shoot. I can drive. Obviously, with my back to the basket I can post up, too. And I believe I’m a very good passer from the post, too.”

Ogundele also believes in his ability to make 3-point shots, which was a big part of Garza’s arsenal.

“I believe I can make threes,” Ogundele said. “If someone leaves me open, I’m definitely going to make a three. Obviously, I’m very confident in my shot. I don’t hesitate to shoot, and I’m happy that the coaches obviously don’t just tell me to stay (near) the basket. They let me play free.”

As for the pressure that comes with trying to replace a Hawkeye legend, Ogundele seems far from intimidated or scared.

“There was one thing my national coach told me in England, he was telling me pressure is a privilege,” Ogundele said. “So hey, I’m lucky to be here and I just have to step forward. Every day is a new day and I just try to make the best of every day.”

And while he has made huge strides from a conditioning standpoint, Ogundele knows that there still is much work to be done.

“I’m not in crazy great shape yet,” Ogundele said. “But it’s only the start of summer. But to get into the shape that I’m in now, I want to thank the strength coaches and everyone for helping me.”