The Defensive Dynamo Finds a New Passion
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is a player whose energy and defensive prowess have made him an indispensable asset on the court. Yet, this summer, it is his off-court endeavors that are capturing attention. Okogie has been channeling his boundless energy into a newfound passion: photography. This unexpected hobby began when he picked up a Sony a7 III camera while on vacation in Milan, Italy, during Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend to test his skills, Okogie has since immersed himself in the world of photography.
"I'm still not good. I'll say 90-95% of my pictures are BS, but I feel like I've gotten better -- slightly -- each day I've taken pictures," Okogie candidly admits. His honesty about his progress reflects his approach to basketball: relentless, striving for improvement, and never settling for less than his best.
Learning the Ropes
Photography, for Okogie, is far from a casual pastime. He has put in the effort to understand his camera and the intricacies of the craft. "I've kind of figured out how the camera works, how to do the settings, how to do the white balance and all that. So it's been pretty cool," he shares. Despite his steep learning curve, Okogie remains undeterred by the challenges posed by photographing fast-paced basketball action.
His foray into sports photography has included capturing live action during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Golden State Warriors game in Las Vegas. The speed of the game, however, presents a significant hurdle. "It's very fast. Every time somebody dunks, by the time I take a picture, he's already done finished the dunk and he's already playing defense," Okogie acknowledges.
Evolving Skills and Future Plans
Okogie is fully aware of the areas he needs to improve on. "I feel like the biggest improvement I have to make is adjusting to the speed of the game and not only anticipating, but also about being at the right angle to get the best picture," he says. Aspiring to capture the emotion behind moments, he looks up to seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of the Phoenix Suns for inspiration. "That's my guy. He films the Wolves and he also films a lot of other NBA-sanctioned events. So I've always paid close attention to David," Okogie notes, expressing his admiration.
His goal extends beyond the NBA. During the offseason, Okogie plans to apply his growing skills to WNBA games, aiming to bring the same energy and passion that he does to the court. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explains, encapsulating his objective perfectly.
On-Court Ambitions
While photography has become a significant part of his life, Okogie's primary focus remains basketball. He recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns and is committed to bringing his trademark energy to the team. "My mentality is just to go out there and just try to give this team the energy that they need on both sides of the floor," he asserts. He envisions himself as "the battery of this team, if that makes sense. The motor of this team, to get people going, get people excited to play, get people moving."
The upcoming season holds immense promise and challenges for the Suns and Okogie. With new coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm, Okogie has discussed his objectives and the competitive nature of the Western Conference. "The West is going to be really competitive next year. I feel like we can be as good as we want to be. I feel like our ceiling is as high as we make it. I'm excited. I feel like if we get a good training camp and we start to jell, the sky's the limit for us," he reflects.
As Josh Okogie continues to sharpen his skills behind the lens and on the hardwood, his journey serves as a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether capturing the split-second emotions of a basketball game or energizing his teammates with his on-court dedication, Okogie's multifaceted talents promise to leave an indelible mark both in the arena and beyond.