Oby Anadi Keeps Saying Yes to Opportunity

Oby Anadi sees things a little bit differently than the rest of us. The senior volleyball standout is poised for a great final campaign with the Gamecocks after a breakout junior season, but the Louisiana native always has a lot going on off the court as well.

“I want to take advantage of any opportunity that I can, and I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportunities,” said Anadi, who is studying public relations and aspires to work in television. “I just want to keep saying ‘yes.’ Those are my goals. My strengths are my communications skills, my energy, and my ability to read people. That really helps me on the court with my team and off the court with my classes and the different opportunities I get. My public speaking skills get me in the door a lot of times.

“I’d like to work in TV – anything where I can talk to people on a large scale. If could read in front of the class, I always wanted to do it. If I could give a speech in front of the whole school, I wanted to do it. I got that from my dad (Allison Anadi who passed away five years ago and was a professor at Southern University). He was always the life of the party and liked to talk to people.”

Anadi is not one to turn down opportunities for growth or unique experiences having volunteered to work SEC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in the operations area for the conference office, took advantage of an opportunity to attend New York Fashion Week, served as hostess for the Gamecock Gala, is active in the local community and was named to the SEC Community Service Team, and is also serving as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) this year.

“It’s just about saying yes to whatever comes my way,” said Anadi, who also voiced over a television commercial for the Southeastern Conference last year. “I wanted to get involved with S.A.A.C. for the leadership skills. I like the idea of making a difference. Being a part of something is great, but being able to lead it is something I’m always willing to do.

“The community here has been so supportive of me. A lot of the community service I do is in the school systems here, mentoring kids, reading to them, or coloring. I’m always wanting to give back. There are 24 hours in a day, so there is always time!”

Both of Anadi’s parents are originally from Nigeria. Anadi took her own leap of faith to leave Louisiana and become a Gamecock four years ago.

“I got recruited during COVID, and I just liked what (head coach) Tom (Mendoza) was selling,” Anadi said. “What I saw of the school online, it had a really good digital footprint. My first time seeing campus was when I moved in.”

After productive seasons her first two years, Anadi exploded on to the scene last year with 146 kills and led the Gamecocks with 129 blocks, which is the fourth-most in a single season in the rally scoring era.

“I think I believed in myself more last year, and I had a good support system,” Anadi said. “I found myself, and I found my people.”

Those people include many of the staff at the Dodie Anderson Academic Enrichment Center and the Rice Athletics Center.

“I’ve had the chance to create really strong relationships with the people that work with my team, from academic advisors to marketing staff,” Anadi said. “I felt really supported and safe and that the people running my sport had my back. The student-athlete development staff has really given me a lot of opportunities. When they put something out there, I always say yes.”

As for on the court opportunities in 2024, Anadi wants to see her team finish in the top of the SEC standings and reach the postseason for the first time since her freshman season.