Ikenna’s Story
Growing up in Nigeria, Ikenna Smart dreamed that sports could one day change his life. As a young boy, he played soccer with anything he could find — rolled-up socks, oranges, even empty plastic containers. But everything changed the day someone noticed his height and handed him a pair of basketball shoes, encouraging him to give basketball a try.
That simple act of generosity opened a new world of opportunity. With that single pair of shoes, Ikenna began his basketball journey in a small Nigerian town. Even after the shoes wore out within three months, his passion only grew stronger. When he couldn’t afford new ones, he played in dress shoes — or sometimes barefoot — determined never to give up on his dream. Within a year, his hard work earned him a basketball scholarship to a high school in the United States.
In 2011, Ikenna moved to the U.S. to continue his education and athletic journey. Supported by the Purrington family, he adjusted to a new life, culture, and opportunities. His talent and work ethic soon caught the attention of college coaches, including Bobby Hurley at the University at Buffalo, where Ikenna earned a scholarship and helped lead the team to three MAC Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He also excelled academically, earning degrees in International Trade and Geography.
After graduating, Ikenna transferred to Wake Forest University, where he earned a master’s degree in Liberal Studies while playing for Coach Danny Manning and the Demon Deacons. During this time, Ikenna’s heart remained close to home. Remembering the struggles he faced as a young athlete without proper shoes, he organized a shoe drive in Buffalo — collecting over 90 pairs of basketball shoes and personally delivering them to young players in Nigeria in 2017.
That experience inspired the creation of Smart Sport Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources, opportunities, and support to young athletes and coaches in Africa, especially in communities with limited access to training, equipment, and development programs. Ikenna’s vision is simple yet powerful: to create a future where every young athlete and coach in Africa has the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to reach their full potential, both on and off the court.
At Smart Sport Foundation, we believe that one pair of shoes can change a life. Each pair represents more than just footwear — it’s a message of hope, opportunity, and the belief that with the right support, anything is possible.