Surviving in Spain

Hi, I am E. Victor Nickerson from Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout my life basketball has been a high priority and I have so much love for the game. As a high school student my mother even moved across town to help me pursue my dream of winning a state basketball title. As a rising high school senior, I was blessed enough to be invited to some of the top Nike camps. It was always motivating to see my hard work rewarded. I was fortunate to receive a NCAA Division 1 scholarship, but my college basketball career was like a roller coaster.  I went from being on draft raiders for NBA teams to having 4 surgeries during my last two years of college. I had double hip surgery and could not walk for a year.  When I finally got back on the court, injuries led to double wrist surgery and additional time off the court. During my rehabilitation, I even had a doctor tell me that I would never play competitive basketball again, let alone be able to play at the professional level. Through it all, I kept my faith and worked my way back to the court while completing my college degree.

 

Since college, I’ve been able to play in the USA, China, Hong Kong and the Republic of Georgia. This year I was playing in Spain and had a great jump start to my basketball career in the lower leagues. I averaged 27.5 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. I also received 7 player of the week awards out of the 8 weeks that I played before our season was cut short due to COVID-19. While the team I was with was contractually obligated to cover my housing and food expenses, they stopped paying for these services early due to the financial impact COVID-19 had on the league. My flight back home to the USA has been cancelled 4 times now and at this point I’m not sure if/when I’ll be able to return to the states or if returning is wise due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases and the current racial tensions. I have teams in better leagues interested in me playing with them next year in Spain and I have an opportunity to make a great impact, but the season does not start until September-November. 

 

After seeing the crisis going on in America and understanding that COVID-19 is still affecting people. I honestly feel that staying in Spain until the next season starts may be the best solution. After my previous team stopped paying for my housing and food, I was fortunate enough to have a Spanish family offer me a place to stay. They understood that my flights home keep getting cancelled and offered me refuge for which I’m eternally grateful.

 

Today, I am asking for your help to be able to continue to survive until the basketball season starts. Your assistance will help me continue my dream of being able to play basketball at the highest level possible. I understand the ball will eventually stop bouncing, but I’m passionately pursuing my passion, as long as the ball bounces. I want to show hope for those who are also chasing their dreams to do what they love, please help me bring hope to others by showing people never to give up! The donations you provide will go towards the family that is helping me, my food and living expenses until I’m able to get a flight home or until the next season begins.Thank you for your support!