In Their Own Words - Michael Otoo

From being in a coma and being diagnosed with a severe traumatic brain injury, being told that he would never play basketball again, but made his way back to the court. Meet Michael Otoo in his own words.

I wanted to get my story out here on the basketball scene in the UK, my name is Michael Otoo, I play for university of Westminster Dragons in BUCS and Brent Bulls in the National League D3.

I graduated from St Thomas University in Canada last year and I am continuing my basketball adventure here in the U.K. In 2016, I was involved in a motor vehicle pedestrian accident, I was in coma for 5 days & was in the ICU unit. Unfortunately I Suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and was told by many doctors that I wouldn’t graduate or play basketball again.

After being out for 2 years and being in a coma for 5 days, I was in the rehab centre in Canada for a month for 2 years i rehabbed, with TRAC group in which I had an occupational therapist, speech therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist and chiropractor. Proving the doctors wrong is what drove me during my rehab.

The most challenging thing about getting back was being out for so long and having to learn the game again and be able to play at a high level after forgetting how to do everything.

Through loads of rehab and God, I’ve been able to get back to the game I love. I was out for 2 years. And, after being out 2 years, I transferred schools and Finished my last 2 seasons at a high level & got some awards to show for it!

Now I’m in the U.K., I chose to come to the UK to do my masters and also have the opportunity to play at a high level and hopefully continue my career.