Former University of New Mexico Basketball player Obij Aget and his wife, Ashlynn Brown, have traded sports balls for doughnuts in their downtown Albuquerque business, a local news station recently reported.
Aget, best known for what KRQE called "throwing down some nasty dunks" during his four seasons with the University of New Mexico Lobos, now co-owns with Brown Yummy’s Mini Donuts & Ice Cream on Central Avenue.
Obij Aget playing for the University of New Mexico Lobos in 2017
| twitter.com/obijaget/
"I love the city and I love the people you know, and people always give me the respect and love and I feel like here is my second home," Aget said in KRQE's news story published Aug. 3. "For me to start a family here, a business here, you know, it means a lot to me."
Born in Juba, South Sudan, the 7-foot-1 Aget played four seasons as center for UNM during the 2013 to 2017 seasons on the men's basketball team and later played the same position in the NBA for the Iowa Wolves. He also played for the Byblos in Lebanon's Division A.
Aget and Brown met while Aget was playing basketball for UNM and she was a cheerleader there. They've been married for four years.
Aget also earned his business degree at UNM and has put it to work at Yummy’s Mini Donuts & Ice Cream.
The couple found the right location in downtown Albuquerque about a year ago, Brown told KRQE. The shop was officially founded in September.
"We built it pretty much from the ground up," Brown said. "It’s been a long process, but it's been very rewarding."
Given the amount of "war and a lot of conflict" back home in Sudan, Aget told KRQE that he appreciates the opportunities he's had in New Mexico.
"To start my own business is a dream come true," Aget said.
The menu at Yummy’s Mini Donuts & Ice Cream includes three steps to get those miniature doughnuts: choose how many you want, choose from among maple, Nutella, chocolate and other glazes, and then choose Oreos, almonds, chocolate chips or other toppings. Aget's shop also offers ice cream, milkshakes and other treats.
The couple also acknowledged the help they've received from former team and schoolmates and, as Aget told KRQE, they are "Lobo for life.”