Robert Brown (203-F-1998, college: TxWes) is a baller overseas who has been used to nice weather climates in his life. He grew up in Dallas, Texas where he wasn’t used to balmy summers, but toasty summers in the 90’s while in the winters it got cold, but also warm in the 60’s in February. Now in November with winter around the corner, the power forward is living the dream playing his rookie season overseas with German Regionalliga team Aschaffenburg Baskets living in a historic old German city which sits on the Main river and has a beautiful castle named Johannisburg. The winters are cold and damp. But thankfully for him he got an introduction to cold winters when he was at Iona (NCAA).

‘The weather has gotten very cold I’m adjusting a little bit to it but I’m already used to this type of weather because I’ve lived in New York for 2 and half years and it gets pretty cold there’, remembered Robert Brown.

Americans who come overseas can get a real culture shock really rapidly after arriving. Imagine being in a country like Mongolia or Romania or Kosovo. Sure the big cities all have clubs, but imagine being 1-2 hours away from the biggest city and playing for an organization that has 8,000 inhabitants and no Mcdonalds or Burger King. Playing your rookie season in brutal conditions like that often can have a toll on Americans. Not being able to adapt to a new culture can even lead guys returning back stateside and giving up on the dream. Brown was simply very fortunate to have landed in Germany which isn’t only one of the best places for Americans to play, but also one of the most positive places for Americans to begin a career. Money usually arrives on time and finding a Mcdonalds or Burger King isn’t difficult either. But for him actually refraining from visiting a Mcdonalds isn’t tough.

‘Germany has been nice so far it’s been treating me very well the culture here is different and I’m embracing every moment of the people around here welcoming with open arms out here my teammates are the best and helping me with a lot especially when it comes to the language here but I love it so far! I don’t do fast food normally. The only fast food spots I visit are the Doner spots and I cook from time to time as well’, stated Robert Brown.

Most American ballers have a wake up call overseas where they knew that they were far away from home. One of the most popular answers is simply getting used to the time difference. But for Brown, that wake up call never came simply because the whole experience in Germany has been so enriching.

It’s very shocking just being away from home I Remember telling myself when I didn’t have a call I couldn’t wait to get somewhere new start fresh and start life from there now that it happened it’s a reality check on just cherishing every moment because I’ve been here since September and it’s already November so I’m just enjoying the process learning how to adapt in different environments an remaining humble over lovely experiences so far it’s building my character’, warned Robert Brown.

One of the great aspects of the exciting overseas life isn’t just the playing, but also being able to explore new cultures and just visit new fascinating places. Brown hasn’t had too much time yet to explore new cities, but he already has some destinations in the next months. ‘

‘I would like to visit Berlin. My old teammate from Iona Dwayne Koroma that currently plays for UConn this season ! He told me it’s a great scenery I want to check that out after the season but I have been traveling to other cities as far as with the team as well it’s been cool to see other cities and knowing the difference between them. I also will be visiting Jabari Rice in the Czech Republic most likely sometime in January we talk almost every day’, said Robert Brown.

Americans playing in lower leagues overseas have lots of free time. There are usually only one game per week on the weekends and perhaps 2-3 practices per week. Guys playing in higher leagues will practice twice a day and have 1-2 games per week. The teammates of Brown all have jobs or go to school, so he has a lot of time to work on his game.

‘Normally we practice throughout the week so I do weights and conditioning on our off days and get shots up when the gym is available. I also get a little workout around the basket before I go straight into shots. I get to take care of my body which is the most important thing it’s basically teaching me discipline and making sure my craft is at its best’, warned Robert Brown.

How often have I seen other pro ballers watching the Frankfurt Skyliners during a easyCredit BBL game. Guys from lower leagues will take some of their free time to watch former opponents from college or teammates from other years. Brown also has found time seeing what his peers are doing at other levels.

‘I have checked out a few teams with the Skyliners in Frankfurt and a team that’s in a different region than ours’, said Robert Brown.

A great thing about guys balling in lower leagues is that there is no other way then up for them. They have a lot of time to perfect their craft so that one day they can refrain from watching German BBL and Pro A games and possibly compete at a level like that. But at the moment he is focused less on watching the games, but more on himself. His self-confidence is sky high to one day play in the Pro A or BBL. ‘

I am focusing on myself because that’s a big goal of mine to keep working to play in those type of leagues. I believe I can play on that level I just need to keep working and remain humbled I know my time will come I’m just enjoying my process of where I am at as of now’, warned Robert Brown.

It will be interesting to see how the Aschaffenburg Baskets continue to develop and if they can reach 500 this season. As for Robert Brown, he will continue to play his game, grind in the lab and develop further. Off the court, he will continue to experience new things in his life that one day he can tell his grand children about. He is simply living the dream overseas and couldn’t be more blessed for the opportunity.