basketball update

Here is a quick blurb about what is going on in my basketball life. Coming to Edinburgh, I was looking forward to playing different sports -- and I have taken up (term used loosely) squash and football (soccer) since coming. They have been fun, but I also have been playing some basketball.

I joined the University of Edinburgh basketball team upon arrival. I did want to note that basketball is not the main sport played in Scotland. Football, rugby, golf, squash and others usually rule the day with basketball being a distant 5th, 6th, or 7th. That said, I had more anxiety shooting a left-handed layup during tryouts than I had experienced in the last dozen years on the basketball court. I got over the short bout of nervousness and did make the club.

I ended up on the team and we would usually have 1 or 2 times on the court per week (be it a game or practice). We played against other Universities in Scotland such as University of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling, etc. The team was made up of all kinds of nationalities with a few Americans, Canadians, Scots, an Australian, a Greek, and a few others.

Our team went undefeated in our League -- 7-0 -- and we won the Scottish League Championship. Hooray!



team photo











We just recently traveled to Sheffield, England to participate in the British playoffs (we were 1 of 16 teams in Britain to make it this far) and we lost by 6 points for our first defeat of the year. We played quite well and, that said, I would say that the better team won.

My basketball is not quite over yet as I am also participating on the Scottish University National Team. This is a group of 12 players from colleges and universities all over the country that are selected to represent Scotland in a tournament at the beginning of April. There will be a 4 day tournament where the University National team from Scotland will play similar teams from England, Ireland and Wales.

I have heard from people who have played on the team before that it's a good week that is filled with games during the day and camaraderie between all teams in the evening. The words "pints" and "pubs" come up often when speaking of the latter.

This will most likely be one of my last shots at competitive basketball -- and with certainty, it will be my last go in international competition -- so I am trying to savor my time on the court.

I'll leave with a few competition pictures. Until next time.




poking a scot in the chest while on defense











looking for a steal












awkward, awkward stance

diving / falling