Dominique Osarieme : The Legendary Nigerian Apaché

DOMINIQUE OSARIEME- Standing at 6 feet 3Inches (without shoes), the only APACHÉ inherent in the Naija basketball scene doesn’t need much introduction.

Apaché Before Apaché

Liberty Stadium, Ibadan (Oyo State) was where it all started roughly at age ten. He started Playing for Loyola college.

Although still rough at the edges, young Dominique Osariemen had his game sharpened and finesse by his then math’s teacher Bro Saurine John(a U.S marist priest).

Young Apaché pictured 2nd left of Bro.John

After his O’level, he proceeded to CMSGS Lagos were he teamed up with players like Shola Ayoola, Emmanuel Anani, Peter Nelson and under the tutelage of Coach Ganiyu his game blossomed.

Also read about Obinna Ekezie(OBN Academy Top Gun)

This was the making of what we now widely know him as; Apaché. Dominique Osarieme became deadly on the court and this wasn’t just by mere saying alone.

Handball & Hakeem A Long Time Pal…

Apaché continued to improve and dominate on the court so well that he formed a lasting bond with NBA All time great Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon– this was before the later left for the United States.

Another interesting fact is that Dominique Osarieme also played Handball and infact got a call up for the Junior national team alongside Hakeem.

High School Exploits

While playing for CMSGS, Dominique Osarieme help them win back to back gold medals at the then Nigeria school sports competition held at Lagos and Calabar respectively.

At Ogun State, Apaché became a force to reckon with, while playing for the junior team and after a while got promoted to the senior team as a result of his stellar performance.

At the Niger State open championship, Apaché shone like a million stars while representing Ogun state and winning a silver medal in the process.

Apaché Goes Pro

While at the college level (ABU Zaria), Dominique Osarieme played for Kadda Stars.

Apaché at graduation day with sister and cousin

He started his club career at Ogun Rocks and later moved to Sokoto Sweet Shooters, and was a founding member of Bini Beads Basketball club.

At Bangui, Central Africa he represented Ogun state in club championship, it was at this point he got a call up by then national team Coach Oliver Johnson.

Dominique and then rising star Hakeem made the list out of the 35 man provincial squad invited for international games in Luanda, Angola.

Apaché in Luanda,Angola

The team eventually won Nigeria ‘s first international medal in basketball (Bronze).

Below are some of the greats Dominique Osarieme Ojehonmon played with during his time;

Hakeem”The Dream”Olajuwon, Peter Arigu, Ekwo Odaudu, Musa Kida, Col Sam Ahmedu, Ayo Bakare, Fani,Eledu,Peter Aluma, Tokunbo Oke, Sanni Ahmed, Innocent Nnaji, Isa Umar Akin Otiko Yomi Basket, Sylvester James, Anthony Emiwhen, Femi Akinoola, Akin Otiko, Brimah Lawal, Jimmy Vidal, Tilo Vidal, Big George ,Dele ,Obasulu, Tari Preh, Alex Uwaje George Akuboh, Obande Ogbole, Adamu (Doya) Muktari Khale(Malone), Patrick Omo- Osagie (Gbiyo), Soji Owolabi, Alex Uwaje, Yomi Sangodeyi(Late), Gbade Oyatona, Shola Ayola, Mike Olisa, Lucky Sagay, Soji Owolabi,Ivor Ekpe, Tunde Coker, James Odo, Olofu Agbaji, John Apir, Mohamed Acha, Chet Bashir Anekwe, Mahmud Abubakar, Sulaimon Bajhason.

He also played with Masai Ujiri(Toronto Raptors President) and Mike Akuboh towards the end of his career.

Fun Fact: “Dominique was the only basketball player during his days that wore the Red, White and Black Air Jordan Sneakers. They were given to him by Ron Trigg a certain American counsular officer in Kaduna”.

Today’s Story…

Dominique currently has his hands busy teaching and training kids in the game of basketball.

Check Out Kingsley Ogwudire; Former Nigerian Lethal Point Guard.

As seen below he coached Marella College Ibadan to ten state cups and four regional championships. Wow!

He has also been involved with the Giants of Africa Camp(GOA), and Al Farouq Aminu(Good Works Camp), as well as other privately held camps around Nigeria.

Apaché at GOA campPic 1- 2022 Basketball Clinic with Al Farouq Aminu, Pic 2- 2018 Basketball Clinic with Al Farouq, Pic 3- Apaché Rocks Al Farouq Camp gear with a smile.

Speaking about basketball development in Nigeria;

“Grass roots are the building blocks for development. NBBF should wake up”- Apaché

We hope you find this piece worthwhile. Stick with us as we bring you more stories of our basketball heroes past who need to be immortalized into our basketball folklore.