While getting an expected loss at the hands of Team World, Indiana Pacers new shooting guard, Victor Oladipo did his native Nigeria proud, becoming the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Africa Game, finishing with 28 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the 108-97 loss.

The former Hoosier started the game out with a bang, being at the back end of a high-flying reverse slam from Denver Nuggets' point guard Emmanuel Mudiay to open up the game — his night only got better from there.

In an outing that was a bit sloppy due to players enjoying their offseason, the 25-year-old shined, proving to be the most-polished athlete on Team Africa, dazzling fans with his ability to slither to the basket and knock down shots.

“I’m a 25-year-old who is trying to be great,” Oladipo told Tana Aiyejina of Nigerian website Punch.com. “Every day of my life, I try to be the greatest basketball player ever, the best I can be as a person. I didn’t get here on my own and I’m not going to where I want to be on my own. I must do something to reach my goals.

Oladipo spent his first couple of years with the Orlando Magic, ultimately getting trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he enjoyed a season alongside season-MVP Russell Westbrook before being traded to Indiana in the Paul George trade late in June.

The four-year veteran will try to take this Pacers roster to greater aspirations after losing two of its best players in George and Jeff Teague.

“I’ve had lots of great moments in my four years (in the NBA) so far; when I was going to the playoffs for the first time was one of them,” he said. “I had 45 (points) in a game sometime.”

Oladipo started to channel his scoring prowess in this game, hopefully a pleasant sign to a rabid Pacers' fan base that expects a fast rebuild after major losses this offseason.