Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie: From Hardwood Hustle to Capturing Moments Behind the Lens
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is widely recognized for his tenacious defense and relentless energy on the basketball court. However, this summer, he has found a new passion, channeling his enthusiasm into photography.
Okogie's journey into the world of photography began when he picked up a Sony a7 III camera during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend to test his skills, he embarked on a new learning curve that has brought him as much challenge and excitement as his professional basketball career.
Describing his initial forays into photography, Okogie admits, "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." Despite his modest assessment of his work, Okogie's commitment to improving is evident. He has immersed himself in understanding the intricacies of the camera, from settings to white balance, finding joy in the process. "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."
This summer, Okogie's camera has captured the dynamic world of basketball from a different vantage point. In Las Vegas, he photographed 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. Through these experiences, he quickly realized the challenge of capturing live basketball action. "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 shared.
The young guard appreciates the difficulty of adapting to the speed of the game and understands the importance of positioning. "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."
Okogie's respect for seasoned professionals like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix informs his approach. "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’s ultimate aim in photography is to capture the emotion behind pivotal moments. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained. His passion project extends beyond the NBA; he plans to shoot WNBA games during the offseason, further honing his skills against a backdrop of fast-paced sports.
On the basketball front, Okogie recently secured a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, underscoring his value to the team. He continues to commit to his role, determined to infuse the team with energy and intensity. "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," said Okogie.
The competitive spirit that defines Okogie’s on-court presence is something he intends to bring off-court as well, aiming to be the driving force for the Suns. "We have a lot of talent on this team, but I want to be 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."
Looking ahead, Okogie is bullish on the Suns' prospects in the upcoming season, believing that the Western Conference will be highly competitive. "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."
Josh Okogie’s dual passions for basketball and photography reveal a multi-dimensional athlete eager to excel in every endeavor. Whether through his defensive grit on the court or his burgeoning talent behind the camera, Okogie embodies the spirit of relentless pursuit, continuously striving for growth and excellence.