It seems like it was just yesterday when the 2x All-Star, Victor Oladipo, was teasing his comeback on Instagram. One of the most exciting guards to have played in the NBA, slowed down only by injuries. A vital player during his time with the Indiana Pacers, averaged 20.6 points in his 4 seasons there. ‘POV: You’ve finished recovering and coming back better than ever’ This overlaid text on his Instagram video had fans riled up. Although he has returned to the NBA, but in a different capacity than one might expect. 

Back in the spring of 2011, Tom Crean, head coach at Indiana University, requested an evaluation of Oladipo by the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee; the response was a direct rejection by all 28 teams. But a year later, he was drafted 2nd overall by the Orlando Magic. General Manager, Rob Hennigan, who was earlier at OKC Thunder, was enticed by the tactics employed by them. OKC had groomed Russell Westbrook as a point guard and oh, was he good! He intended to do the same for Oladipo.

3 head coaches and numerous position changes later, they realized that it wasn’t meant to be for Victor. When the tactics didn’t work at Orlando, Sam Presti, GM of the Thunder, thought he could save him. Sadly, in the playoffs, he couldn’t step up when the Thunder needed him, averaging only 10.8 points per game. Suffering a first-round exit handed to them by the Rockets, Oladipo was mournful. What seemed like a Hail Mary turned into a nightmare. He was traded for the 2nd time in 13 months to Indiana. 

The Pacers gave him the No. 4, return to the original no. he wore at the Assembly Hall. What started as just a jersey number change foreshadowed his return to form. He went on to become the Most Improved Player in the 2017-18 NBA season and made back-to-back NBA All-Star appearances in 2018 and 2019. He was in the best form of his life. But injuries plagued him.

The maximum games in which he has appeared since the 2018-19 season is 42. He moved between franchises and struggled to get minutes. In the 2023 preseason, he tore his patellar tendon playing for the Heat. Since then, he has not made an appearance. He is back now, but with ESPN, as an NBA analyst, a fact that many from the community are still trying to digest. 

A shock for the fans: Will Victor Oladipo ever return as a player?

Fans tuning in to ESPN on Wednesday night preseason action saw a familiar face. Usually in a jersey, Oladipo was all suited and mic’d up on TV this time. He made his debut as an analyst. Fans were both sad and happy, but knowing he would remain connected to the game. One user tweeted, “I’m so glad he found a job and a place in basketball,” joyfully anticipating the insights a superstar will offer.

Though a lot of users were in disbelief, they believe he still has the potential to perform at an elite level. “Wtf?!?!?” said one user, who was bewildered after seeing his recovery video on Instagram not long ago.

One user reminisced about his time in the league. “That fight against lebron in the playoffs will never be forgotten“. It was Oladipo’s playoff appearance in 2018. He was up against Lebron James and the Cavs. By that time, it was already established how insane Bron’s playoff numbers were. He went on to average 34.4 points, 10 rebounds and 7.7 assists in the series!

Game 1 was in Cleveland, who were the favorites, but the Pacers stunned everyone by winning the first match. Oladipo held his own in that game, leading the Pacers through the series, with his steady averages of 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.4 steals. The Indiana side fought till the end, but Lebron James was too much to handle. The Cavs won the series 4-3.

“Seems like j was just saying he was gonna be the next D Wade omggg its so over,” another netizen wrote, remembering the time when Victor Oladipo did everything that D-Wade did. Went to Indiana University and hit up DBC Fitness in Miami to be like him.

Oladipo was invited to a Father’s Day Dinner at the White House just after completing High School. His idol, Dwayne Wade, graced the occasion as well. It was there that Oladipo asked the veteran, “How was it, having Tom Crean as a coach?’

And his exact words were, “He’s the reason why I’m the man I am today.” Following his footsteps, Victor Oladipo agreed to join Indiana University to play under coach Tom Crean. “So, Dwyane has a lot of responsibility for my success as a human being. But most importantly, as an athlete. Just because he was a role model for me,” said Oladipo about his idol.

A fan also floated speculation that he could return to the league. “Doesn’t necessarily mean he retired. A few years ago Tristan Thompson was at ESPN and signed with the Lakers mid-season iirc,” reacted one user, providing hope and relief to his fans along with a certified example. Thompson was part of the historic 2016 Cavs team. That, however, seemed to be the highlight of his career.

Nothing went his way after that, he was left without a team for the 2022-23 season. He also debuted for ESPN as an analyst but later signed a one-year contract with the team he won his ring with. This reignited hopes of seeing Victor Oladipo donning a jersey again and gracing the basketball court, again. Do you think that’s possible?