#35 - Aba & Nuni Omot

On today's show we interview Stand-Up Comedian and former Professional Track Athlete Aba Omot and his brother Professional Basketball Player Nuni Omot. What makes these brother's story so incredible is the obstacles they had to endure and conquer to reach their goals. When Aba was 3 his family was caught in the middle of a civil war in Ethiopia, they traveled 440 miles to safety at a refugee camp in Nairobi. While on that journey by foot, Nuni was born. With some help Aba and Nuni along with their mother were able to move to the United States. This trek meandered through New York City, South Dakota and Minneapolis before the family settled in Mahtomedi. The Omot brother's discuss how challenging it was to overcome a language barrier in a single mother household while trying to figure out how to provide. Their Mother would work two jobs, while Aba would baby sit Nuni. Aba discusses how his responsibilities as a child were far different from his peers. But how watching their Mother's work ethic helped instill that same work ethic in themselves. Both brother's were late bloomers, but when their opportunities arose they took full advantage. Aba discusses how he went from being in the shadow to then the spotlight as a captain after one season, then to being one of the greatest all around track athletes for the University of St. Thomas, before attempting to qualify for the Olympics, but now has found a home behind the mic doing stand up comedy. Nuni discussed going from playing JV basketball his Junior year, to then growing a few more inches his senior year to then averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assist. Nuni was still disappointed because he did't receive any D1 offers. Nuni chose to play D2 for Concordia and realized he didn't want to stop there, he trasfferred to a D1 JUCO program, had a great season, then the D1 offers started pouring in. Nuni elected to choose Baylor where he was a staple 3 and D player for the program over the following 2 years. Nuni goes on to tell us what motivates him, His experiences with the Nets and the Warriors and the trials and tribulations of playing overseas. It was a pleasure having the Omot brothers on the show and we hope to have them back! A must listen!