(This is the second post about my college basketball experience in Asia. If you have not read the first one, please click here.)
As you might guess, basketball is essentially the same wherever you go. The goal is still to outscore your opponent. The basic rules are the same. You dribble. You shoot. You play defense. However, there were some funny differences in the basketball here that were superficial, but shocking none the less. Definitely took some getting used to.
This first one wasn’t a difference, but rather a shock to my system. I was absolutely dying every time we hit the court those first few weeks. It had been 10 years since I had been involved in competitive athletics. Since that time, I had studied much and worked out little. I had broken a few bones and had my second shoulder surgery. As I said in my first post, I had come to Asia to learn a language and, hopefully, make an impact for good. In my wildest imagination, I had never dreamed I would be on a nationally recognized basketball team.
We were training like big time programs train. Wind sprints, drills, suicides. . . we were doing it all. I was in typical physical shape for a 28 year old professional from America. I was doughy. My thoughts were often, “I can’t believe I am 28 and still doing suicides!” If the opportunity weren’t so great to meet friends, I would have quite the first day.
It ended up being the best thing imaginable for my health, as well as for my ability to engage in campus life in Asia, yet it was definitely a shock to my system to jump into training with a college basketball team!
The second thing that we immediately took note of was that the team NEVER drank water. Never. Patrick and I [Read more…]