Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Victor Oladipo

Discover the career path of Victor Oladipo, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Victor Oladipo is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who most recently played for the Miami Heat in the NBA. He is currently a sports analyst for ESPN. He had a successful college basketball career at Indiana University, highlighted by the 2012-2013 season where he earned numerous accolades, including Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year, Co-NABC Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-American honors from the USBWA and Sporting News. He also won the Adolph Rupp Trophy that year, awarded to the top player in men's NCAA Division I basketball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: College Basketball Career Start

During the 2010-11 season, Victor Oladipo played in 32 games for Indiana, starting five. He averaged 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.06 steals in 18.0 minutes per game. On December 27, 2010, he made his first career start against Penn State, scoring 14 points.

2010: High School Achievements

In 2010, as a senior at DeMatha High School, Victor Oladipo averaged 11.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, leading his team to a 32-4 record and multiple championships. He earned First Team All-Met and All-WCAC honors and was ranked among the top shooting guards in his class by multiple scouting services.

2011: College Basketball Career

During the 2011–12 season, Oladipo averaged 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game for Indiana.

2012: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2012, as a sophomore, Victor Oladipo averaged 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, being recognized as Indiana's most improved player and best defender. Indiana earned a #4 seed in the 2012 NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Kentucky.

2012: College Stats and Awards

In the 2012-13 season, Victor Oladipo averaged 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.17 steals across 36 games. He was named Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year, National Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and a first-team All-American by the USBWA and Sporting News. He also earned All-Big Ten first-team honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

2012: Emergence as a College Star

In the 2012-13 season, Victor Oladipo emerged as one of the nation's biggest college basketball stars while playing for the Indiana Hoosiers. His leadership helped the team become Big Ten champions. He ranked fourth in the country in field goal percentage.

April 9, 2013: NBA Draft Entry Announcement

On April 9, 2013, Victor Oladipo announced his decision to enter the 2013 NBA draft, forgoing his senior season at Indiana.

December 3, 2013: First Career Triple-Double

On December 3, 2013, Victor Oladipo recorded his first career triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a double overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

2013: Drafted by Orlando Magic

In 2013, Victor Oladipo was drafted second overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA draft.

March 4, 2015: Career-High Scoring Game

On March 4, 2015, Victor Oladipo scored a career-high 38 points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.

October 25, 2015: Contract Extension

On October 25, 2015, the Orlando Magic exercised their fourth-year team option on Victor Oladipo's rookie scale contract, extending it through the 2016-17 season.

June 23, 2016: Trade to Oklahoma City Thunder

On June 23, 2016, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis.

2016: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

In 2016, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2016: Career high 45 points

On March 18, 2016, Oladipo scored a career-high 45 points in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the ninth player in franchise history to score 40 points in a game.

March 7, 2017: Return to Starting Lineup After Back Spasms

On March 7, 2017, after missing six games with back spasms, Victor Oladipo returned to the starting lineup for the Thunder, scoring 16 points.

July 6, 2017: Traded to Indiana Pacers

On July 6, 2017, Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis were traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Paul George.

2017: Traded to Indiana Pacers

In 2017, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Indiana Pacers.

November 3, 2018: Game-Winning Shot Against Celtics

On November 3, 2018, Victor Oladipo hit a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining to secure a 102-101 comeback victory for the Indiana Pacers over the Boston Celtics, finishing the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

2018: NBA Accolades

In 2018, Victor Oladipo was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

November 12, 2019: Assigned to Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Recalled

On November 12, 2019, Victor Oladipo was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants by the Indiana Pacers while recovering from a knee injury. However, on the same day, November 12, 2019, he was recalled to the Pacers after practicing with the Mad Ants.

January 29, 2020: NBA Return After Injury

On January 29, 2020, Victor Oladipo returned to the NBA after 371 days of injury. He scored 9 points in 21 minutes for the Pacers, including a game-tying three-pointer, in an overtime win against the Chicago Bulls. He dedicated the shot to Kobe Bryant and other victims of a helicopter crash.

January 2021: Traded to Houston Rockets

In January 2021, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets.

January 16, 2021: Traded to Houston Rockets and Debut

On January 16, 2021, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a four-team deal sending James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. He debuted two days later, recording 32 points and 9 assists in a loss against the Chicago Bulls.

February 2021: Turned Down Contract Extension

In February 2021, Victor Oladipo declined a two-year, $45.2 million contract extension from the Houston Rockets, the maximum they could offer.

March 25, 2021: Traded to Miami Heat

On March 25, 2021, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2022 draft pick swap.

August 7, 2021: Re-signed with the Heat

On August 7, 2021, Victor Oladipo re-signed with the Miami Heat on a one-year veteran's minimum deal.

March 7, 2022: Return from Injury

On March 7, 2022, Victor Oladipo returned from injury, scoring 11 points with four assists and one rebound in a win over the Houston Rockets.

March 2022: Playing Return After Surgery

In March 2022, Victor Oladipo made his playing return after undergoing season-ending surgery.

July 7, 2022: Re-signed with the Heat

On July 7, 2022, Victor Oladipo re-signed with the Miami Heat on a two-year, $18 million deal.

April 23, 2023: Suffered Torn Patellar Tendon

On April 23, 2023, during Game 3 of the NBA playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks, Victor Oladipo suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. The Miami Heat subsequently reached the NBA Finals without him, but lost to the Denver Nuggets.

July 6, 2023: Traded Back to Oklahoma City Thunder

On July 6, 2023, Victor Oladipo was traded back to the Oklahoma City Thunder, alongside two future second-round draft picks, in exchange for cash considerations.