“Le travail n’epouvante que les ames faibles. Work only frightens feeble souls.” Louis XIV...Rodney Elliott, of the Lique Nationale de Basketball, Paris-Levallois, Pro B Team, has proven that he is no feeble soul. With a professional basketball career spanning for more than 10 years, Elliott has traveled the globe, from Italy to Kansas City to Croatia, Spain, Australia, back to Italy...then onto France, exhibiting that work presents no fear to the passionate. I got an opportunity to catch up with this former Maryland Terrapin in the last 3rd of the season, with just two months left in the finals. We discussed travel, family, passion and what’s next on the Other Side of the Game for Rodney Elliott.
The Interview...
RODNEY & CRYSTAL
CRYSTAL: How’s the weather in Paris?
RODNEY: It’s beautiful. I just finished a weeklong celebration for my birthday, so it worked well (with a smile in his voice).
CRYSTAL: Happy belated. Now, how many years have you been playing basketball?
RODNEY: Almost my entire life; for as long as I can remember. When I was 12 years old, I was the tallest one in the group, school, camp, my neighborhood; everyone was pushing for me to play ball for that reason alone, so I said, “why not?”
CRYSTAL: How many of those years have you spent overseas?
RODNEY: This is my 9th year playing internationally.
CRYSTAL: What countries’ courts have you graced?
RODNEY: Well, after college, in 1998, I left for Belgium; during the NBA lockout I came to America and played for two years in the IBL minor league in Kansas. After that, I started playing all over the world, literally--Paris, Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Australia; I’m sure I’m missing some.
CRYSTAL: Your first run overseas was with the Sydney Kings in Australia, what was the biggest culture shock?
RODNEY: The biggest adjustment in moving to any of the countries that I’ve lived is the language barrier. Basketball is a universal language though…Other than that, I never really had to adjust and adapt too much to moving around so much. My agent really talks to me about what my best options are and the best opportunities for me to really play. I haven’t really been afraid of too much because I knew that these adjustments came along with the sport.
CRYSTAL: Is the sport of basketball the same everywhere?
RODNEY: European basketball is catching up with the NBA. The game is definitely different in different countries. In France, it’s a little more physical. The guards here are taller and bigger, so that’s a big change.
CRYSTAL: How has the decision to leave America had the greatest impact on your life?
RODNEY: In America, you’re used to the familiar. They do things a little differently in France. The pace is a little slower; but this has allowed me to work on my patience. I appreciate it; it’s a change that people don’t realize that they need.
CRYSTAL: What is the greatest thing about life overseas?
RODNEY: It’s really exciting to travel, as your profession. I really had to overcome my fear of the unknown and welcome the unknown with open arms. All of my fears have always been overshadowed by my love for the game of basketball.
CRYSTAL: What things do you miss most about America?
RODNEY: The thing I miss the most is friends and family. I’m a dad and home is home. I also miss the English language. When you hear people speaking English, it gives you a sense of comfort. I miss brands that are unique to the American way of life too.
CRYSTAL: Were the Europeans receptive to you when you first arrived in your new home?
RODNEY: Definitely…they treat us like we’re home.
CRYSTAL: What is the best treatment that you've received overseas that you feel you probably wouldn't have gotten in the states?
RODNEY: The best treatment is that the French try to make it as if you were home. You get the nice loft-style apartment, the cars, just like home. They show you around. Players that come to France with families, they find schools for your children to attend that are compatible to what was offered in America.
CRYSTAL: If someone was traveling to Paris, what things would you consider a must see?
RODNEY: Things you must see…you’ve got to see the Eiffel Tower. The museums, the artwork; there are exhibits and shows; a plethora of things to see.
CRYSTAL: What’s one thing that you love about some of the countries where you’ve lived?
RODNEY: In Turkey, it was all about hospitality. Their customer service is great! They are very big on if you’re having a good time, really enjoying yourself. In Italy, the people are very family oriented. I mean you get a 2-hour lunch break everyday so that you can make it home to have lunch with your loved ones. Family is a priority, a privilege and not an obligation. Businesses close at 8pm in Italy, versus in America. People take the opportunity to sit down and have dinner. They take the time out to listen to each other. I mean, how many times do you have a sit down dinner with your family? Is family really important in America?
CRYSTAL: What’s your passion?
RODNEY: My first love is American Football, but my passion…my greatest passion is to work with children. Once I’m done with basketball, I know I’ll be doing that in some capacity.
CRYSTAL: How has your overseas experience made you a better player, better yet, a better man?
RODNEY: Over the years, basketball has allowed me to build relationships, really good friendships. As a person, I appreciate every day. I appreciate the different cultures of the world and what life has to offer. I can say in these 34 years of life, it’s helped me grow as a man.
CRYSTAL: How will you know when you’re “over”…overseas ball?
RODNEY: I definitely don’t want to be overseas until I’m 40; maybe one or two more years. I’m definitely grateful and will do this as long as I can; I still have the rest of my life to do other things than this. Really…I do my “self-check” at the end of each year and that determines where I am and where I am going to be, so I can’t put a number on it.
CRYSTAL: If you had to pick any “other side of the game”, what would it be and how has your overseas experience influenced your journey outside of the game of basketball?
RODNEY: On the other side of the game…I’d like to do some coaching and player management. I’d really like to help players get where they need to be. I’d teach players that with this sport comes a lot of dedication and responsibility. You have a stage and when you’re on stage, you have to act accordingly. There really needs to be more resources to assist players with handling what comes along with playing the sport. I’d like to be a key force in helping players reach their fullest potential.
Basketball is the vehicle that has driven Rodney Elliott all over the globe. From seeing the Eiffel Tower to appreciating Italian family values, Elliott’s basket ball career has allowed him to develop a well-rounded, cultured, sense of self. He said it best, “the older I get and the more I play, the more I appreciate the game. Over the years, I’ve learned to play my position because it may change.” Now that’s life, travel and culture on the Other Side of the Game.
To learn more about Rodney, check out the following links:
www.eurobasket.com
www.examiner.com
ABOUT RODNEY…
Height: 6-8
Weight: 240
Age: 34
College: University of Maryland, College Park
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Experience: 12
Rodney currently plays for team Paris-Levallois. Rodney is a power forward averaging 24 points per game. Rodney is 6 foot, 8 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds.
