Basketball in Taiwan
Basketball has become more than just a sport to me. It has become a tool for managing my emotions. While I never had aspirations to play professionally, I enjoyed playing basketball with like-minded athletes. Basketball is like a freestyle rift between jazz artists, where the coordination of movement, teamwork, passing, and flow comes together to create a smooth organic experience. I am a street ball player through and through and prefer the self-governed gameplay over organized ball.
When I arrived in Taiwan, I was surprised at how big basketball was in the country. Taiwan’s commitment to the sport is evident through the number of courts with nets in parks and the resources provided to encourage participation. I had an opportunity to coach and help develop business models to further the development of the basketball culture in Taiwan.
The overall competitive culture in Taiwan is best described as “fair,” which is different from the highly competitive culture I experienced while competing at the Division 1 collegiate level in the United States. Three-on-three is the game on the streets of Taiwan, with games going up to six and winning by one point. Taiwanese gameplay has a more passive approach, which took some adjusting to. For instance, disagreements are settled with a single game of “Roc, Paper, Scissors.” I had to adjust my game because I am a physically dominant player, and local players were not used to the type of attitude and physicality I brought to the court.
Through my experience and competition on the local courts across Taiwan, I was afforded opportunities to coach and develop company training models in basketball development in Taiwan. These opportunities allowed me to refine my methods as a consultant, athletic trainer, and collaborator. I worked with Break Through Basketball Academy, led by my friend and colleague Sam Craig, and Glory Days Basketball. GDS provided the most in-depth experience, teaching, learning, and building basketball culture in Taiwan. Through GDS, I trained local talent, developed coaches, and hosted large-scale coaching seminars for youth across Taiwan, including an international educational experience exploring what it means to be a “Student Athlete” in the United States.
I have had the opportunity to coach high-level players and play street ball with local players across Taiwan. The basketball culture in Taiwan is a community event, and it has been a great experience to connect with content creators and Hoopers in Taiwan who share my passion for the sport. Playing with local street ball players has provided an avenue to connect with like-minded athletes and learn about the unique basketball culture in Taiwan. I am excited to return to Taiwan to continue developing my skills and contribute to the growth of basketball in the country.
