Playing in the USA - URI Stars Talk About the “American Experience”

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Jim Malachowski, Sports Columnist

Pack your bags and head for the USA, not for a vacation or short trip but for an undetermined duration. Leave your friends and family and set out for a new country. Would you have the motivation and courage to do it? 

 

I sat down with two URI men’s basketball players who left their home country and came to the U.S. to play. David Fuchs grew up in Vienna, Austria, until age 15, when he moved to Germany to pursue basketball. Jeremy Foumena was born in Paris, France, where he lived until he was 8; then his parents moved to Montreal, Canada.

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David Fuchs

Fuchs moves so smoothly on the court that you don’t realize this 20-year-old freshman is 6’9” and weighs 245 pounds. In her kitchen in Vienna, his mom could never seem to make enough of the Wienerschnitzel her son craved as he had always been a big boy. His interests outside of basketball include cooking, fashion, collecting watches, and art. His grandfather, Ernst Fuchs, was a renowned Austrian painter. Fuchs is also interested in boxing and other fighting sports but has the good sense of doing so only as a spectator.

 

Jeremy Foumena

Foumena is 6’ 11” and weighs 235 pounds. He brings enthusiasm and intensity to the floor, and his exuberance comes flowing out of him after a good play. With Paris and Montreal in his background, he likes a variety of foods, including staples such as authentic Canadian poutine. His mom is an entrepreneur and enjoys cooking African foods. Off the court, he follows the NBA. His interest in gaming has waned due to the time commitments of basketball and academics.

 

Both these student-athletes said that education in Europe and Canada is more demanding than in the U.S. English is a second language for both, and they speak it fluently. Fuchs learned English through immersion and some classes when he spent time in Malta as a ten-year-old. Foumena learned English through immersion through his basketball travels.

 

“Basketball Jones”

I quickly learned these two athletes are all consumed by basketball. They have a “Basketball Jones”; if you are unfamiliar with that term, see below. Their passion for and commitment to basketball is so great you get the impression if these players were told going to the moon would help their game, they would immediately get fitted for a spacesuit. 

 

Both players had no difficulty acclimating to life in the United States and indicated things here are not much different than in Europe or Canada. Part of the reason for their perspective is that a great deal of their lives and time, both here and in their previous countries, is centered around basketball. The ball does not bounce any differently, and the rim is the same height no matter where you are in the world. 

 

Why did they come here?

Both came to the U.S. and URI for the opportunity to play basketball. Interest in a new cultural experience or academic program was not a factor. It was strictly and solely basketball. URI recruiters sought them out, impressed them, and maintained regular contact. Fuchs said moving to the U.S. was a “necessary step in my development as a player.” Further, “URI was the most attractive option for me, in terms of coach Miller, trusting me, wanting me to be a big part of the puzzle, and expecting a lot from me as a player and person.” The program fit his passion for basketball.

 

Foumena played in High School with Orangeville Prep in Ontario along with URI teammate Rory Steward. URI Assistant Coach Duane Woodward recruited both players simultaneously, and a strong sense of family developed, leading to his decision to commit to URI.

 

Basketball in Europe

In comparing how the game is played both said European basketball was more strategic, uses more set plays, and more defensive coverages. Fuchs said, “In Europe, basketball is more of a chess match. It is physical but in a different way due to the emphasis on strategy.” Fuchs related that in Europe, “A team can sometimes get away with not being physical, and an out-of-shape player who is skilled can still play if they are strategic enough.”

 

Foumena, who has played in tournaments in Europe, said, “It’s physical, but in Europe, they try and beat you with smart plays, not by pushing you around. If you don’t play physically here, you are definitely going to lose.” Foumena added, “It’s bully ball here.” Fuchs quickly chimed in, “I like physical play. I played in the professional league in Germany with grown men.” 

 

Fuchs said practices here are entirely different from what he is used to. When he played professionally, they had two games per week, so with travel to other countries, practices were shorter and often less intense. Coach Archie Miller is known to have two-and-a-half to three-hour practices during school vacations.

 

How about the fans?

Fuchs described European fans as more intense, sometimes crazy, and in some places dangerous. He said a fundamental difference exists as European fans “live for their team.” They are not dissimilar from soccer fans, but you play indoors, and people are closer. He pointed to the team from Serbia as an example. Fuchs said, “You don’t want to be the opposing team there. You can literally get hurt. People in Serbia truly live for the club.” It is no surprise Fuchs handled the hostile environment at the AMP during the P.C. game without difficulty.

 

Officiating

When asked about the difference in officiating, Foumena let out a laugh as he looked at Fuchs, who has gotten increasingly aggravated with referees’ calls lately. He fouled out of the Saint Joseph’s game after only 25 minutes. Surprisingly, Fuchs said the officiating in the U.S. is much better than in Europe. His opinion is the officials in Germany are terrible. Fuchs described one significant difference, “The college officials here will help you. They will explain what you did wrong and give you a moment if you come up hurt. He concluded, “Those things would never happen in Europe.”

 

What do they like the best about being here in the U.S.?

Foumena said, “The U.S. is the best country for basketball. It is the best experience and best position I can be in to play basketball and get to the next level.”

 

Fuchs echoed that sentiment and added, “Playing a different type of basketball.” He continued, “ I believe if you have played in different cultures, countries, and styles of basketball, you will be the most rounded basketball player you can be. This is going to help you reach your ultimate goal.”

 

 

Wrap up

When asked to reflect on where he is and how he got here, Foumena, who recently had a significant health issue and sat out as a redshirt freshman, said, “Perseverance. I had a lot of difficulties growing up. Things I had to get through. Perseverance was the key.” 

 

Fuchs closed the session by saying, “Hard times make strong people.”

 

Reflection

After the interview, I left the Ryan Center with a spring in my step. I was very impressed by these two young men. There was no hint of elitism or the all-too-familiar spoiled athlete. These two have worked hard to get to where they are but, more importantly, have an appreciation for their God-given talents and want to do everything possible to maximize their potential. They are good people and likely embody the high-character individuals Coach Miller covets for his roster. URI is fortunate to have them; they make me proud to be an alumnus.

 

 

 

Basketball Jones

Basketball Jones is a song and short film by comedians Cheech and Chong about a fictional character named Tyrone Shoelaces, who loves basketball so much it consumes him. The song was later covered by Barry White and Chris Rock and used in the movie Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan. Basketball Jones is now slag for having a basketball addiction.

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