If there is one word that would classify Brandon Cataldo (213-C-1991, college: Portland St.) best concerning his long 10 year career overseas, it would be chugging. He just continues to chug along from opportunity to opportunity giving his team all he can with points and rebounds. He began his basketball career in 2015 in Germany with 2 Regionalliga team Westfalen Mustangs and then saw many beautiful places including Italy for 3 seasons. He also spent some time in Ecuador, Iceland and Sweden and had a second tour of duty in Germany in Limburg in 2022. He also has spent time in Spain and is currently in his third season there currently with Hache Publicidad Moraleja (Spain-Tercera FEB). Before that he played 5 seasons with Portland State University. Usually guys that are overseas will get home for Xmas at one time or the other, but in his case it has never happened. Imagine the 34 year old last being home for Xmas when he was 19 years old? “*I haven’t been home for Christmas since around 2010 because I had games in college every year from 2010 to 2015. As an overseas player, it was always difficult to get back to the U.S. for Christmas during those years”, said Brandon Cataldo. Even if he hasn´t been home for ages, Xmas has a big meaning to him. “Christmas to me is all about family. I think it’s a time when we all come together and spend quality time. While gift-giving is a big part of the celebration for many in America for me, it’s always been about family”, warned Brandon Cataldo.

So it is no surprise that the big 214cm big man has very fond memories of how he celebrated Xmas as a kid in The States. “Christmas was always a great time with family! We would go to California to celebrate as a family on my father’s side, and it was always filled with very special memories. I’d say it was my favorite holiday growing up”, remembered Brandon Cataldo. The whole build up to Xmas was massive in the Cataldo family including Christmas Eve where so much was going on, even a visit from Santa Claus. “Christmas Eve was our big family party at my great-uncle’s house. Everyone gathered to play games, share a big dinner, and open presents. There were always tons of gifts, and my uncle would dress up as Santa, calling out each gift while we ran up to grab them before returning to our seats. It was always an amazing time”, stated Brandon Cataldo. That his favorite Christmas present of all-time has to do with Basketball is no surprise either. “My favorite present as a kid was an indoor basketball game with two nets. It was so much fun”, said Brandon Cataldo. He also has some real classics as his favorite Xmas movie and song while his favorite Xmas food is one that he could always eat and unfortunately hasn´t had often since he hasn´t been home for the longest time. “My favorite Christmas movie is the animated “Grinch” (the classic one), and my favorite song is “Jingle Bells.” It was definitely overplayed while I was growing up. My favorite Xmas food is Christmas bread toast. We only made it once a year, on Christmas morning, and it’s really good”, expressed Brandon Cataldo.

In his 10 year career, the big man has spent 2 Christmas´s in Germany and he always enjoyed his time there. Is Germany so different during the pre Xmas time than what he experienced as a kid? “*I would say that Germany has many similarities with the U.S., but the traditions are much more pronounced there, and the overall feeling during the pre-Christmas season is different for sure”, commented Brandon Cataldo. He also got a taste of the atmosphere and the delicious foods at the Christmas markets and was never disappointed. “We visited as many Christmas markets as we could in Germany, and they were all very cool! I try to avoid eating most of the foods at the markets because even looking at the wrong food can make me gain 5 pounds. The German sweets during Christmas are dangerously good for me . But it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wish the USA did more of that”, stressed Brandon Cataldo. On Xmas you think of others and remember all of the suffering going on. He has a special Xmas wish for the whole world. “My Christmas wish for the world is world peace. I hope that all the people of the world can go home and spend quality time with their families, and that everyone travels safely”, warned Brandon Cataldo. With 2026 just around the corner, he is also focused on how he wants to present him as an individual in the new year. “*I usually keep my resolutions to myself and my wife, but I can say that I’m on a good game plan for success right now. My focus is on staying healthy, improving my skills, and maintaining a positive mindset. I believe setting small, achievable goals helps me stay motivated throughout the year. I’m looking forward to making the most of this year and continuing to grow personally and professionally”, added Brandon Cataldo. So where will Brando Cataldo be for Christmas in 2026? Will he finally be home in California again? “This Christmas, I will be going to Barbados with my wife, her parents, and her sister to meet her family. We’ll be staying at her aunt’s house. I’m super excited about this trip”, said Brandon Cataldo. Ok so he won´t be home for Xmas, but he won´t be without family as being with family is the most important thing in life for Brandon Cataldo.

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