A Closer Look - Season 1 (Hendrix Emu)
Everyone has a path in life. While some have an easy path, others have a more difficult path. However, few, if any, have had a path that compares to junior Hendrix Emu.
The 6-5 195 lb. standout defied all odds in order to become the man that he is today. For some, they have time to grow into a frame or become mature. Emu, however, became a man at too early of an age.
Emu has seen things that not many can fathom. He had to deal with situations that no human being should ever have to. Yet, he not only dealt with each and every issue that he has faced, but he thrived.
Some may be book smart while others have a high IQ and are “street” smart. No matter what, people may not be able to survive, let alone survive, in situations that Emu saw at an early age.
Born in Nigeria in 1992, Emu was a young child when his father took him away from his mother. Emu’s father took him to Liberia and left him with a family friend, which was a slightly better situation than being around his father.
“My father was a mean person,” Emu stated. “He abused me and wanted everything clean and tidy at all times, which is why I’m OCD. Before moving to Liberia, his father came in and a cup wasn’t in the sink. He grabbed the mop and beat me with it. I have a scar on my neck from where he tried to stab and kill me.”
Instead of being in a better situation, Liberia was a war zone at the time. From the time he was eight years old until he was 10, Emu lived with complete strangers after his parents divorced.
“Growing up was not easy,” Emu said. “I had to survive on my own. By going through the things that I did, I do not know what it is like to have a father, have a family or to be a child. I was already mature by the time I was eight.”
Instead of attending school and learning things that become the cornerstone of a solid education later in life, Emu’s schooling was much different. In Liberia, he would travel to a school that was two miles away by foot every day. Emu didn’t learn the basic education that Americans are afforded. He was taught how to survive in the war-torn country.
“I remember seeing a convoy of rebels going by,” Emu said. “There were times when I’d see people running and there was gunfire. At school, we learned how to assemble an AK-47. It was about survival.”
He didn’t have a home-cooked meal and was unable to enjoy going out to eat. Instead, there were days that he literally was starving for food.
“Sometimes there would be a loaf of bread and I’d wait until I got really hungry in order to eat it,” Emu stated. “I was young and didn’t know I should have eaten it sooner. Roaches would be in the loaf and on the bread but I had to eat it in order to not starve. I learned to live on rice. I had it with everything.
“I didn’t have electricity or much food, but I still found happiness,” Emu said. “That came in the form of basketball. People would be surprised, but there was a lot of talent in Liberia. Many don’t have a chance to make it due to their situations, but they were extremely athletic.”
Known as a competitor for his entire life, Emu did not back down from a challenge on those courts as a kid. No matter how much better someone was, Emu accepted the challenge and competition.
At 12 years old, his father’s friend passed away and Emu was once again uprooted and moved to England, where he was with his mom and two younger sisters. Although he moved away from the war, he was still in a battle to survive.
Even though he was still young, he had a job to help support his mom and sisters. It was not until the 8th grade that he started attending school like other students.
“Once my mom found a suitable job, I was able to get back to my passion – basketball,” Emu said.
While playing basketball, he met a player that played at Washington University in addition to Luol Deng. Both said he had potential to make something of himself. Through his hard work, Emu played on the East London Royals (similar to AAU) and won the national championship at 14 years old.
At 16, he was selected to represent Great Britain but was unable to play as he was not a legal citizen at that time. Instead, he settled for playing for a London-based team.
His friend played on an AAU team in Philadelphia and invited me to play with them. Eventually, Emu’s time playing with the Richmond Squires enabled more people to watch him play and led to him being recruited.
“It was difficult for me to go to certain schools,” Emu said. “I wasn’t qualified academically but it wasn’t because I didn’t want to. It was family-based. I had to do what I could so we could survive.”
Emu was taken in by Kevin Lahn, who is now his legal guardian. Lahn sent him to the best trainers and strength coaches that he could.
“I was surprised at first and told him that I couldn’t pay him back, but all he said to do was to get good grades and stay on the right path,” Emu said. “Kevin always mentored kids in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He heard about me when I was living in Camden, N.J. Although I was supposed to go to Woodrow Wilson H.S., Camden was the No. 1 murder capital.
“Kevin heard about me through a friend and knew I was trying to make something of myself,” Emu said. “Without ever watching me play, he helped get me to where I wanted to be. Kevin did the same thing for my brother, Sharrif Floyd (now a member of the Minnesota Vikings). Kevin adopted both of us.”
Emu attended the The Miller School, which is known for producing top student-athletes. He played with several that are now at Division I schools.
School was tough for Emu, but he has overcome a lot to get to where he is today. Still struggling with PTSD, Emu has been changed dramatically from what he could have been to what he is now.
“I am more distant from the world because I’m afraid of how people will judge me because of what I’ve been through,” Emu said.
Now in his second year with USC Aiken, Emu has continued to learn and excel on and off the court. Last season, he played behind All-American Paul Larsen and managed to pick up a lot.
“Paul was the first person I met here and he told me I have what it takes,” Emu said. “Paul helped teach me how to be a man among men. We are similar in we are both quiet guys that lead by example.”
When he arrived on campus, Emu sported No. 0, but has since changed to No. 23.
“I chose No. 0 because I came from nothing,” Emu stated. “I was a child that people thought would never succeed and one they said should be aborted. People thought I was a waste of time. I chose it because it reminded me of who I am and where I came from.
“This year, I switched to No. 23 because all the greats wear it. I wanted to switch to Paul’s jersey number, but he said, “I couldn’t follow in his footsteps – that I had to do it my own way.’”
Coming from nothing, Emu will not be judged by his past or what he does on the court. He should be judged by who he is. Emu is kind, considerate, caring, gentle, well-versed, highly intelligent and funny person. Not many can say they have been through something similar to him. There are not many people like him, but wouldn’t it be nice to have more people who would do anything possible to reach their goals?
