In The Know w/ Finke & Hill

Playing professional basketball in a different country is not for the weak and timid. There is more to it than hoops when it comes to having played overseas basketball. At the same time, it can provide an opportunity to experience things that most people will never get to experience and it’s also an opportunity to grow outside of your comfort zone. Things such as learning and exploring a different culture other than your own. Getting to create friendships that wouldn’t have been created without basketball. For me personally, I thought it was pretty cool for my people to have the option to visit me in some of the places that I’ve played. For example, my moms was able to visit me, and also my dad was able to visit and leave the country for the first time ever. 

When going overseas as an athlete for the first time, it can be tough because you’re not sure what to expect. For me, it was my 2nd time being outside of the States and the first time having to get settled into a different country. 

I remember being in the Philippines and having really awesome teammates to help me get settled in as it was my first time ever living outside the US. I remember exploring all the different parts of Manila and even visiting some of the islands in the Philippines on our off time. The hotel I was living in was across from the 2nd biggest mall in Asia. They had everything you could think of in there. From a bowling alley, to a movie theater, to having laser tag. The one thing that caught me by surprise being out there is that the traffic was insane. Throughout the day there was always traffic on the roads. Chicago rush hour is almost nothing compared to the traffic out in Manila. Outside of that though, it’s an awesome country. The Philippines is 100% a place I would go and visit in my free time in the offseason whenever that opportunity presents itself in my future. 

After the Philippines, I spent my next 2 years playing in Germany for 2 different clubs. Living in Germany I was surrounded by teammates that made things easy for me to settle into. We had gatherings at each other’s places on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would spend time getting to know each other and our backgrounds. Most players that go overseas spend around 10 months at a time wherever you’re at for the basketball season. That can be tough for some guys depending on how you take it and the group of guys you’re with. Especially depending on what country you’re in. It can also feel even longer depending on how good the team is. Luckily, both of the teams I was on in Germany were solid. 

When playing overseas, it is very common to have 2 practices a day and the practices always depended on how the team performed in games. You’re going to earn that check you’re making one way or another.

I tore my ACL my 2nd year in Germany early in the year. It was a unique experience for me because it paused basketball for me and gave me an opportunity to try new things in life. I was always the guy that was constantly playing video games outside of practice. Once that happened, that’s when I started picking up other interests and got into reading books more and more. 

After that year, I played the following year in Astana, Kazahstan. Astana was unique because English was not the most common language throughout the area and during the cold parts of the year the temperatures reached down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. That is not a typo. One of the coldest places in the world. I’m happy I was able to experience it and say that I lived that out because how many people can say that they’ve lived in Kazahstan before? I built some good relationships and had a good time with my teammates out there. One of our favorite things to do out there was to go bowling after practice with my guys. I was able to get nice in bowling because I was heading straight to the bowling alley after practices. 

Then the following year, which was last year, I was playing in Jerusalem. When I got to Jerusalem, there were still Covid restrictions within the country and I didn’t get a chance to explore and get to know the country as I would have liked. The times during Covid made things difficult for everyone around the world no matter who you were. It was to the point where we could only go to practice and games and that was it. We were on lockdown. It was a weird time. It was tough too because you’re out in a country by yourself and you can’t leave the apartment complex to even enjoy yourself. 

Because of that year though, I was able to build some strong bonds with the imports from the team. We spent a lot of time together in our apartments because all we had was each other. There were a lot of tv shows and movies being watched between us when we weren’t on the court. The basketball never changed though, they still expected us to act professional and still expected us to show up and be able to give our all and win games. Even with no fans in the stands. That’s just the standard that’s held for most teams that play for a club that brings you in as a foreign player. You’re expected to be held at an expectation and have to bring that laser focus type of professionalism with you wherever the game takes you around the world. 

My journey to this day with playing ball has been a whirlwind with its ups and downs. With that being the case, there are still moments that I will always cherish forever and friendships that I’ve been able to build and maintain. I’m also able to share these experiences that I’ve had with other athletes that strive to play overseas basketball and give them a heads up on what to expect and how to maximize the opportunity given.

– Hillboy

P.S.

As always, leave any questions or comments that you might have for Finke and me. We appreciate all the support!