Basketball Without Borders

When I made my decision to study abroad in Ghana, I did so based on the fact that I wanted to step outside my comfort zone. I was unsure what this meant, but I simply wanted to challenge myself and truly experience and learn about a different culture, its people and all this country had to offer. I had no idea how much this experience would teach me nor the impact it would subsequently have on the rest of my life.
Coming to Ghana, I had no real expectations, and I felt it best to come with an open mind and heart. Being a student at the University of Ghana, Legon, I hoped to learn a great deal while also having the opportunity to travel and experience as much as possible in my time here. I never expected that I would wind up having the opportunity to play the game that I love at the level that I did. Basketball. I have always learned how the game of basketball can unite people on the basic level of playing together as a team, to the global level where entire nations of people root their team on to victory. In my life basketball has introduced me to some of my closest friends as well as amazing people overall. It is a form of expression for me; being able to leave a bit of myself on the court each and every time I play the game.

I remember my first day of practice very clearly, as I spoke to Coach Ghana and asked him if I could simply practice with the team. I remembered commented to myself just how athletic and fast all the other guys were. Coming from the US, I could not help but make comparisons to how the game is played back home. Basketball is one of the biggest sports in the US and boys and girls play from a very young age. Simply having more practice and more years of experience, it seems that the players have more time to develop the fundamental skills first, and then later build upon these. Being that basketball is not a very popular sport in Ghana, people begin playing much later and these basic fundamentals are not as prevalent. However, this does not take away from the amazing raw talent and ability I quickly observed from many of the guys on the courts. The first practice turned into somewhat of a tryout, and I could not have ever imagined it turning into a chance to represent the University of Ghana in the West African University Games.
When I made the school team, I felt quite a bit conflicted. I was extremely excited to be able to play college basketball here in Ghana, especially with the once in a lifetime chance to play in the West African University Games in Nigeria. At the same time, however, I felt guilty

that I may have taken the spot of another deserving player, and I was afraid that I would not fit in on the team; an outsider from across the seas. My nine teammates surely convinced me otherwise, and I immediately felt like part of a team, and part of a family. Although the tournament in Nigeria did not turn out as we all hoped—being a victim of unfair circumstances—I still believe the experience, as a whole, was incredible. To be able to play against gifted players from all across West Africa, and experience the amazingly joyful moments—beating the host school Unilorin and eventual gold medal winners—as well as the frustratingly low moments, this experience taught me a great deal and is surely one that I will carry with me for the rest of my lifetime. I am incredibly grateful and thankful to have been given the opportunity to participate in the West African University Games. To be able to grow closer to my teammates, experience the game of basketball on a different continent, and be able take back all of what I experienced to the US—I am undoubtedly humbled. Playing basketball with the guys on this team, and to have the experience that we did, definitely helped to make a huge part of my overall journey and experience in Ghana and in Africa as a whole.
I would like to thank the University of Ghana Sports Directorate and all that they did to allow us to compete in this tournament. I would like to thank the other talented athletes from the university, for whom I have the utmost respect. Lastly, I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Coach Ghana for the opportunity to be a part of this team, and great appreciation to my nine teammates for taking me in as they did, and teaching me all that they did. Basketball is more than just a game; it is a unifying sport that brings people together from all walks of life, allowing them to play together and compete in this physical, emotional, and intelligent game. It is amazing to me just how much basketball has given me in my short lifetime thus far, and I can only hope that it remains a significant part of my life.

ROPER THEODORE SAMUEL