Name: Leeroy Odiahi
Hometown/Current City: Tralee, Ireland
Undergraduate Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
Postgraduate Field of Study: Sports & Recreation

How did playing college sports shape who you are today?
I feel like it made me a better person, as a man. It taught me how to lead my life, especially after college. It taught me how to be independent, as well. It kind of shapes how I behave towards people.
 
What career path are you pursuing after college?
I would like to play professional basketball for as long as I can. After that, I would like to get into investing.
 
Which class has been your favorite and why?
I really enjoy my Health Disparities class with Angel Shoemake. Professor Shoemake makes it a very fun class.
 
What’s the best advice you ever got from a coach or teammate?
Coach Hank always says, ‘stay in the moment.’ Do everything that is hard at the best of your ability, win or lose, because most of the time you win.
 
What advice would you share with today’s student-athletes?
Coming into college, stay in the moment, don’t think too far ahead. Don’t take whatever you have for granted because you never know when it could be your last time playing. I’ve seen a lot of people, God-forbid, tear their achilles, blow out their knee. So, go as hard as you can every single day and don’t take anything for granted.
 
 How has being a student-athlete helped you succeed in the classroom?
I feel like sports is a very good motivator in the classroom for sure because, obviously, if you don’t get a good enough grade, you’re not allowed to play. So, being a student-athlete is a big help with motivation in the classroom.
 
What’s your best tip for balancing athletics and academics?
There’s never too much for you to do. It’s never too much to handle. Whenever you have free time, do your academics because your sport is going to be scheduled regardless. So, academics should just be scheduled around that time for sure. Whenever you have time, knock out an assignment. If you have time to go on TikTok, you have time to review for a test for 10 minutes.