Nothing like meeting up with old teammates I was a student athlete with back in college. Each teammate brings back their own set of unique memories that never goes out of style. I recently met up with a teammate that approached the the sport the same way I did as a kid. “First one in the gym, last one to leave.” “Always be working on your craft because when you’re not working on your game and getting better; your competition will be.” These were just a couple of the basketball propaganda that we interpreted as basketball gospel; when we were kids.
Kinda crazy to think back on our mindsets back then but we really believed that if we outwork the competition ; that meant that we would make our dreams come true and make millions of dollars in the NBA(National Basketball Association ). We could buy our mom’s that big house and buy our dad’s whatever car he wanted; all while playing the game we love. What could be better than that!?
As time went on. Life happened to us both and we had to adjust those rose colored glasses to other factors we didn’t calculate when we originally were counting how we would make our first millions.
We both were full ride basketball scholarship recipients and graduated from different universities. We both eventually came to the realization that the NBA’s Commissioner was not going to be shaking our hands on draft day, while our name was being called. A devastating blow to say the least but as you know; life goes on.
For me that looked like getting a Master’s Degree and working within Education at the university level. For my teammate it looked more closer to what we set out to do as kids. As I life’s took shape in different directions ; I can honestly say that I never envied his success. Sure, at times I wanted to be doing the same thing and fell in to depression of what I felt I should have amounted to based off the work I put in; but it had nothing to do with him making his dream becoming a reality. Anytime I had the chance to catch a game online that he played in, or a jump on a call with him; I was there. Never missed the opportunity to do so because he’s like family.
Meeting with him this time around looked different because, this time I have my kids with me. My kids are finally at that age where they play sports now and they’re starting to carve their own path within the same sport we played. I was super excited for them to finally meet my old teammate for two main reasons. 1. Just in case there was any skepticism ; he could confirm all the heroic , buzzer beater stories and all the hard work that both I and my teammate put in was not a exaggeration . 2. I just wanted to them to be inspired and motivated by someone other than me because I know if you hear the same thing from the same person over and over again; you can become desensitized to the information.
I knew my teammate would have something profound to say. I had some wild teammates back in the day; that didn’t approach the game the right way , so I couldn’t trust them to have this conversation but with this teammate, I could. We’re both cut from the same cloth, so I know they’re going to get some great information. I had to ask him to give them advice.
Me: Aye man. Go ahead and give them some game man. They want to follow your path and go pro. Whether that be here in the states or overseas.
My teammate laughed and replied : “What version do you want me to give them? The real or some bubble gum?”
“Man, all I ask is for you to tell them the truth”. I said.
Teammate: Well , after 15 years of playing basketball overseas I have a libraries’s worth of information I can give you but I wouldn’t be able to give it to you all in one day; so I just give you 3 points of information that will help you tremendously if you want to make this your career.
Both of my sons’ eyes were beaming , while staring at my teammate. They had heard so much about him before actually meeting him; in their eyes he had already reached celebrity status.
I have to be honest , I anticipated my teammate saying some of the classic lines I tell them around the house. “ Play against people that are bigger, faster and better than you.” “ Get your sleep and take care of your body.”” Take care of your grades.” You know the normal stuff. What he said next; even caught me off guard and I’m the parent!
Teammate: The first thing I’d tell you is if you decide to play pro ball overseas. You get 2 to 4 years to do so. That’s it.
My youngest son, broke his stare from my teammate and looked back at me and frowned. I already knew what he was thinking. “ How are you going to tell us to only be over there for only 2 to 4 years and you had a 15 year career?
I said nothing. I just raised my eyebrows and motioned for him to pay attention and keep listening.
Teammate: I know I made it a lot longer career overseas but that’s because I didn’t have a “me” before I got started , I didn’t know any better. I’m telling you both to only stay a couple years unless you’re making life changing money. That means 500k to millions of dollars. Believe it or not there are some semi pro and pro athletes making 50k overseas. They could have stayed over here making that type of money! Fight the ego boost you get to feel when you tell your friends and family that you play pro overseas. That’s a honeymoon of a feeling. It won’t last long. I need you to understand that life is not going to wait until you figure it out. If you’re going to be gone it has to make sense monetary because when you get back to the states; all of your peers will have a jump start in their career. I’m currently 35 years old and the only skill have have is playing basketball. I don’t want to coach, be a trainer or Athletic Director. What job can I get?
The Second Piece of Advice: Make sure you get a trade or at least a degree in a field that’s in demand. This is NOT a Plan B.( This is a extension plan. Regardless where you go pro, this is something you can use to extend into your retirement; that will help you make more money without having to run up and down the court. Playing overseas can be spotty. You can have a job for 4 months and then be out of a job for next 3. Make sure you get a trade, skill or specific degree so you can plug in the gaps financially if you need to because Home Depot is not going to pay you extra because you shoot 80% from the free throw line.
The 3rd and last thing I have for you is some advice I want you to use right away. You don’t need to wait until you’re a pro. No matter what, don’t confuse your worth as an athlete as your worth as a human being and your worth to those that love you the most! A team may say you’re not worth being in the starting line up, being a captain or even making the team but I need you to understand that that’s not a reflection on you as a person. It may be a reflection of your skillset at the time and your performance but not you. There’s a difference.
There’s plenty of life to live after your playing career is over. Enjoy the ride, make friends , work hard, be coachable and don’t forget to give God the Glory.
Oh and one last thing. Listen to your dad. He knows what he’s talking about!
For more articles and list of careers dedicated to assist collegiate student athletes of "making it" after their eligibility has elapsed; check out : https://www.jobs4studentathletes.com/
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