I Love This Game? Andy Wheeler

Basketball has always been a part of my life, and, like many American boys, I had dreams of one day playing in the NBA. Let me repeat myself, the NBA. Upon arrival in Mongolia, we were told we would be participating in a scrimmage with a professional basketball team. I was excited, but felt slightly reluctant to take the floor at a 4,000 ft. elevation, three months removed from the basketball season, and possessing only a very suspect pair of tennis shoes.

We arrived at the basketball court after a sizeable trip in our yellow mini van with our group of 20 abroaders in tow. Walking into the gym though, I felt confident. Looking over at Jon Anderson and my three teammates (their were only 5 of us), I thought we were are going to show these Mongolians a thing or two. That was until I met the Mongolian team's center. Standing in the midst of the Mongolian players who had arrived at the gym, I continued to feel good, until the player who was tying his shoes in the corner stood up. I thought I would walk over and introduce myself. As I approached I noticed that he was not growing any smaller as I crossed the court, rather he was definitely taller than I was. His first words: "I'm 6'11". How tall are you?" Me: (gulp).

The game went well, although the abroaders eventually fell to the defending Mongolia Basketball League Champions "1+11". I was not too surprised. Following the game, the head coach of 1+11 approached me, and, using the 6'11 center as an intrepreter, proceeded to ask me if I would like to play with the team. It was agreed that I would meet the team the next day for practice at the Sports Palace, and things would go from there.

Upon arrival at the Sports Palace the next day, I was instantly thrown into an intensive scrimmage (Mongolians do not stretch). After about 45 minutes of scrimmaging with the 24 members of the A and B teams of 1+11 several men in suits entered the gym and the scrimmaging immediately ceased. I would later find out that these men were the league president, the finance manager, and the team's lawyer/translator. They had brought my contract. My new 6'11 friend informed me that these men were here to talk to me.

Following an assessment of my skills by the head coach (via the interpreter), I was offered the second highest contract in the history of the MBA 60,000 tugrids -- roughly 60 U.S. dollars for the final month of the season. After weighing my NBA dreams vs my MBA dreams, I decided that graduation, a summer job, and seeing friends and family took priority.

I will always carrying my stories of the MBA with me. Over the years I know the value of my contract will go up, and my exploits on the court will increase. Who knows, someday maybe in my old age the MBA might become the NBA, and I will still tell the stories, accomplishing my childhood dream, if only in my mind.