Josh Okogie: From Defensive Dynamo to Aspiring Photographer
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has been a noticeable presence on the court, known for his defensive prowess and infectious energy. This summer, however, Okogie has been channeling a different kind of passion—photography. A newfound love that began when he picked up a Sony a7 III camera while on vacation in Milan during Fashion Week.
Encouraged by a friend to test his skills, Okogie found himself intrigued by the art of capturing moments. Initially, the results were far from perfect. "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," he admits.
Despite the rough start, Okogie's determination to improve has been evident. In Las Vegas, he took his camera to the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Lakers-Rockets summer league game, and even the Suns vs. Warriors matchup, trying his hand at 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 explains.
For Okogie, the challenge lies in adjusting to the speed of the game and perfecting his angles. "I feel like the biggest improvement I have to make is adjusting to the speed of the game and not only anticipating, but also being at the right angle to get the best picture."
In his journey, Okogie draws inspiration from seasoned NBA photographers like David Sherman of the Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix. "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 says, expressing deep respect for these veterans.
Moreover, Okogie's goal transcends just taking pictures; he aims to capture the emotion behind moments. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he notes, acknowledging the storytelling power of photography.
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to extend his photographic endeavors to WNBA games during the NBA offseason, further honing his skills and contributing a unique perspective to the sports photography world.
On the basketball court, Okogie's commitment to the Phoenix Suns remains steadfast. Recently signing a two-year, $16 million extension with the team, he has discussed his objectives with new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer. "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," he asserts.
Okogie is optimistic about the upcoming season, particularly given the competitive nature of the Western Conference. "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."
Beyond his formidable defense and dynamic energy, Okogie aims to be the catalyst that keeps the Suns charged and engaged. "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," he emphasizes.
As Okogie continues to develop his dual passions, both on the court and behind the camera, he represents a unique blend of athleticism and artistic expression. Whether he's stopping a fast break or capturing a game-winning moment, Josh Okogie is committed to bringing his all, driven by a relentless curiosity and an ever-present desire to improve.