Team website
http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=AUT&Team=1385
The other day while I was at the 'Graz Giants' game, which I've mentioned below as being an American-style Football team, I spoke with my Austrian friend about possibly getting back into shape. The best way, and most enjoyable way for me to get back into shape, is to do alittle basketball training. So anyway, I told him that I would go to the local sports outlet here in Graz and buy a basketball so that I could begin my training at some of the park courts in the area of where I am currently staying.
Thinking the conversation had passed as just another meaningless bullshitting session, my friend here actually took that information and ran with it. He contacted the President of a local professional basketball program in Graz, and unknowningly to me, proceeded to introduce me to him over the phone. Later, I received a call from my friend, explaining to me the conversation that had just transpired between both himself and the President of this basketball club. The President wanted to meet with me at their next basketball practice. I was alittle shocked, and thought to myself, "well maybe I could help coach or something".
So, I turned up yesterday to their practice, met with the Head Coach, the President of the Club, the Sports Facilities Manager, an American that is playing on the team there, and a few other Austrian players. In all, I met quite a lot of people that were, again surprisingly to me, looking for not an assistant coach, but an additional player for their upcoming season. Everyone by this time, was informed that I used to play with Gonzaga University, so they gave me the benefit of the doubt and perceived me as a ''player'' and not a coaching figure.
After an hour of watching their practice, speaking with the responsible folks there, they asked that I come back this next Tuesday and begin practicing with them. Now, they only have 3 more league games, so they can't exactly throw me into the mix this season, but they would like that I begin practicing with the team to get back into shape, and for them to further assess any residual basketball skills that I might have lingering inside me.
Their next season begins in October, so they told me that I have plenty of time get in shape, and they would give me an honest shot as a future player for them this upcoming season. Crazy, huh?! I'm all of 30 years old, and there's a good chance that I will begin my rookie season in the professional leagues here in Austria at this age. Anyway, there's a lot to do in that time, and I didn't even bring basketball shoes with me so I need to purchase them now.
It's amazing how things sort of line themselves up, and as one window closes another door is opened, and all due to the simple echoing of an interest in something. Honestly, the only thing I hoped to gain out of attending is that I gain free access into this Sports Facility, but if I decide longer here in Europe than this might be an option. So now all I need to do is prepare myself alittle, and hope to God that my body holds up and/or I don't get hurt in the process. So, stay tuned. :)
Union Sporthalle Graz, Gaußgasse 3, 8010-Graz
Telefon: +43 664 1327875; Fax: +43 316 829761 17
ubsc@basketball.at
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