Oge Ejim

The Quiet Force: How Oge Ejim Learned to Lead Through Growth

She started by chasing her sister, learned by guarding players better than her, and now anchors a team built on effort, empathy, and evolution.

For Oge Ejim, basketball started as something she watched. Her older sister was the first spark — the one who made it look effortless, who made her believe she could do it too. “Watching her play,” Oge says, “made me believe I could be as good as her someday.”

The funny thing about Oge’s story is that the more the competition grew, the more she loved it. “When I got to high school, everyone was better than me,” she says. “But I wasn’t discouraged — I was excited.” Every point scored against her became a lesson in defense, every mismatch an opportunity to learn. That mindset — equal parts humility and hunger — became her defining skill.

Fast-forward to the 2024–25 season, and that same curiosity turned into control. She still talks about the playoff semifinal against The King’s University like it happened yesterday. “We’d lost to them earlier in the year,” she says. “So the preparation for that game — the energy, the effort — it was unforgettable.” The Lightning didn’t just play hard; they played together. “Every person did exactly what they needed to do with 110% effort,” she says. “That’s what made it special.”

That playoff run carried all the way to Nationals, where Oge delivered one of her best performances — a breakout game against Mohawk that helped St. Mary’s advance. “That felt like a full-circle moment,” she says. “All the work, all the growth — it finally clicked.”

These days, Oge’s definition of success isn’t about stats or headlines. “Success doesn’t look linear,” she says. “It’s perseverance and growth over time.” Her goal this year? Grab more rebounds, make a positive impact, and keep lifting her teammates. Her long-term dream reaches beyond basketball — earn both her undergrad and master’s degrees in psychology.

And if you’ve ever been around her, you know the energy she brings — calm, kind, contagious. On her tough days, she focuses on balance. “I stay positive by uplifting my teammates,” she says. “And I take time for myself — to rest, listen to music, or just decompress.”

Her new favorite hobby? Crocheting stuffed animals for her friends. “It’s my quiet time,” she says. “It helps me slow down.”

At St. Mary’s, she’s more than a player — she’s a presence. “Being part of this community means uplifting your friends and family,” she says. “It’s about becoming the best version of yourself every single day.” She saw that firsthand while coaching at the Lightning basketball camp, teaching kids what it means to play and belong. “That camp showed me how big this community really is,” she says.

That’s the essence of Oge Ejim — steady, humble, and always growing. She started by learning from her sister. Now she’s the one others look up to — proving that leadership isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s kind. And sometimes, it looks like crocheting stuffed animals between playoff wins.