Playing basketball overseas – with headlines swirling about pro-basketball superstar Brittney Griner’s detention and release by the Russians – still seems like a dream come true for Anthony “AJ” Hassell Jr., who played at DeSoto Central High School.
“Sometimes, I can’t believe this is really my life,” said Hassell.
“I am actually doing something I really love and getting paid very well for it. I realize how blessed I am.”
The 6’3” shooting guard is fresh out of college. Nearly five months after graduating from Fisk University in Nashville, Hassell finds himself halfway around the world in Vlore (Va-lu-ra), Albania.
Many college hoopers aspire to play professionally in the NBA. Some make it onto NBA teams and choose to play overseas when that opportunity ends.
A case in point is Andre Turner, the “Little General” who starred at Memphis State University (the University of Memphis) and now is the head coach at Lane College in Jackson.
In the 1986 NBA draft, Turner, who starred and later was a state-title winning coach at Mitchell High School, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. He had a six-year NBA career with multiple teams and then began a long overseas career that included winning the 1997 Spanish King’s Cup MVP Award.
Others in pursuit of NBA careers first take the foreign route and commit to playing in semi-professional leagues overseas.
“Thousands are hoping to be selected by a team in the NBA,” said Hassell. “The competition is unbelievable. So, the first thing I did after graduation was hire an agent. In almost no time, I was on my way to Vlore.
“I miss family and friends, but it’s a great adventure. When I get back home to Memphis, then I will pursue a career in medicine.”
Not only was Hassell a standout on the basketball court, but he also excelled academically.
At DeSoto Central High School, his cumulative average was a perfect 4.0. At Fisk, he continued notable competitiveness in both arenas.
“In my junior year, I transferred to Dalton State University in Georgia,” said Hassell. “But as it turned out, I didn’t really like it. The experience was not a bad one. It was just different from Fisk. I returned to Fisk in my senior year, and that’s where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology.”
Hassell, 23, is enjoying every aspect of life overseas. But is there a downside?
“If there is a downside, it would be that you have to be careful, living in a different culture,” said Hassell.
“We watched Brittney Griner’s case with extreme interest. When she was sentenced to (nine) years in a Russian prison, it blew me away. She had a vape cartridge. It wasn’t even weed.
“For American players overseas, that was a serious cautionary tale. But I was glad to see her back home.”
Griner was released earlier this month and returned to the United States in a prisoner-swap deal.
“It’s not a downside for me,” said Hassell. “I know to be careful, not to attract attention to myself. You never know who is watching.
“I hang out with my teammates, who are Albanian. So, I get to enjoy the culture. My teammates provide a wall of protection for me. When I am ready, I intend to return home safely to my family.”
Hassell plays on Team Flamurtari — for now.
“I believe I will know when it’s time to come back home,” said Hassell. “Right now, I am having the time of my life. I was always in pre-med. But I’m looking more toward the business side of medicine.
“All options are open. I’ll make a decision when it’s time. Right now, I am grateful for my life presently. Home for the holidays is a blast.”
Albania is in southern Europe. The population is only 3 million, and the majority of residents are Muslim.
The country gained independence in March of 1992, when the communist leadership was voted out by a free election.
