The West Brighton gymnasium was filled with spectators Thursday night, many of whom gathered to celebrate OD Anosike and the retirement of his basketball jersey at St. Peter’s Boys High School on Staten Island, New York. The honor marked a full-circle moment in his journey.

As a child, Anosike dreamed of wearing a St. Peter’s jersey. On an emotional evening, family members, teammates, coaches, and alumni watched that same jersey rise into the rafters, symbolizing a legacy that extends far beyond the stat sheet.

“This moment is bigger than basketball,” Anosike said. “It represents the people who poured into me, held me accountable, believed in me, and helped shape the man I’ve become. I thank God for placing those people in my life, and I hope I’ve made them proud.”

The ceremony celebrated not only Anosike’s on-court accomplishments, but also his character, leadership, and the lasting impact of the St. Peter’s community on his development. From his formative years in West Brighton to a professional career spanning multiple countries, Anosike continues to credit his foundation at St. Peter’s as instrumental to his success.

“If my journey has done anything,” he added, “I hope it shows that where you start does not limit how far you can go.”

While the jersey bears his name, Anosike emphasized that the honor reflects a collective effort made possible by family, mentors, coaches, and a school community that helped shape his path.

As he prepares for the next chapter of his professional journey, OD Anosike has been selected for the highly competitive Earl Edwards Inclusive Development Program, administered by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) in affiliation with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The program is nationally recognized for identifying talented and driven minority individuals and exposing them to the field of athletics development. Through this targeted engagement, the program seeks to expand and strengthen the pipeline of minority leaders within the athletics development profession. Anosike was selected from a national pool of candidates representing institutions across all NCAA divisions.

“I am deeply honored to be selected for the Earl Edwards Inclusive Development Program,” said Anosike. “The mission of this program aligns directly with both my professional goals and my research interests. I look forward to learning from distinguished mentors, building meaningful relationships across the industry, and contributing in ways that support the long-term health and integrity of collegiate athletics.”

Anosike’s selection reflects his emerging reputation as a scholar-practitioner operating at the intersection of higher education finance, public administration, and collegiate athletics. With more than a decade of global professional basketball experience and doctoral research focused on the stewardship of governmental funding in Division I public institutions, he brings a distinctive blend of applied leadership and academic rigor to the 2026 cohort. Participation in the Earl Edwards Inclusive Development Program will provide Anosike with advanced executive mentorship, national networking, and specialized training in fundraising strategy and institutional advancement as he prepares for leadership roles in intercollegiate athletics.

The program is set to launch later this month.