R, who is of Central American descent, always knew he had a dream to play professional sports. From the time he was forced to make a choice between basketball and soccer at a young age, R set his sights on the NBA. However, being a native of North America posed an obstacle.

On opening night of the 2020-2021 NBA season, only 17 for his country were listed on rosters throughout the league (1). His country is the most represented international country in the NBA, but with only 17 players they still only represent a small fraction of all players. R’s dream is to be a part of this growing number of his nation in the NBA. The path he is on, as most players from his country are aspiring to play professionally have had to take, hasn’t been easy. 

R’s talent in basketball landed him on his national 17-and-Under team. Although this put him at a better spot to earn exposure from scouts, R knew he would need to play college basketball in the United States if he were to get a chance at playing in the NBA. As of 2005, there is an NBA rule, referred to as the “One-and-Done Rule,” that players cannot be drafted out of high school and must play at least one year of college basketball (2). The rule states that athletes must be at least 19 years of age and at least one year removed from the graduation date of their high school class before they are eligible to play professionally (2). 

R left his life in his country behind to play college basketball for university in the United States to help put him closer to playing in the NBA.

R left his life in his country behind to play college basketball for an American Northeastern university to help put him closer to playing in the NBA. With their extensive practice schedule and season, R hasn’t seen his family since 2019. The team begins workouts and practices in the beginning of July and are in season over the winter holidays. Since R’s family is in another country, his decision to play college basketball in the United States has forced him to spend extensive time away from them. This was especially prolonged due to travel restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Although a huge sacrifice, R has no regrets in his decision to come to America. Knowing coming to his home university has given himself the best shot he has at making it to the NBA, R credits the university and his Coach with developing him into a better player and person. Without these opportunities, R’s chances of reaching his dream straight out of his country were zero to none. 

R has since entered the transfer portal. The exposure he has earned from playing for his university has given him another opportunity to pursue the top college basketball programs in the U.S. Like his decision to come to the university, he will base his choice off of who will give him the best chance of making it to the NBA. 

R is…

  • 21 Years-Old
  • Male, Cisgender
  • Black
  • North American and Central American
  • Christian
  • Middle Class
  • Heterosexual
Home vs. Heart