By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Aris Thessaloniki’s latest addition, soon-to-be 18 years old Christ Wamba, has sparked media and fans interest not only for his playing skills but also for his life story and how he found his way to basketball through thick and thin. Eurohoops unfolds his journey, with the help of Athlenda, a sports talent portal which was founded by former player and EuroLeague champion Lazaros Papadopoulos.
Born in 2000, Wamba comes from Congo, where at the age of 14 he figures out basketball makes a vital need for him. Poverty leads Christ and his family to hunger for days to an end, though that never stops him from training. “We didn’t have food but I couldn’t stay off the court”, the young talent reminiscents on his days back in his home country. “I went to play with a friend of mine and we were both happy every time. While I was training, I forgot about everything, but when I got home we didn’t have food so I just drunk water until I fell asleep. Some days, if I was lucky, a friend would share a piece of bread with me.” His love for the sport made him defiant of his own vital needs, shaping up steel discipline from an early age.
At 15, he is presented with a fork in the road, a decision he had to take in order to pursue his basketball dream. Wamba leaves his family in Congo, travels through Africa until he reaches Turkey – and from there, he finds himself in the Greek island of Lesvos, in a hotspot (refugee camp), next to countless people seeking shelter from the atrocities of hunger and war. The times were dark back then and Wamba is one of the lucky ones to have a success story to tell.
In Lesvos, Christ’s basketball dream is reborn, all thanks to George Balogiannis, head coach of Asteras Sindou, a local team. Balogiannis spotted -then- 16-year-old’s talent and welcomed him to the team, as Christ started practicing for 8 hours per day, in order to improve and take his skills to a new level.
He doesn’t mind the training, he craves it, as Wamba explains: “If it was on me, I’d stay in the court all day long. When I play basketball I feel good and if I’m not able to, it takes a toll on me”. For the Congolese youngster, basketball is his number one priority. “I may not have food but with a ball in my hands on the court I forget about everything”.
How did Wamba find his place in Aris’ roster though? Well, it was all a matter of good timing and a little bit of faith. Sometimes a little bit of technology also does the job, and so it did for Christ.
While still in Lesvos, Alexandros Petridis, a teammate of his, helps him set up his profile on the worldwide known basketball network Athlenda. The site brings together basketball professionals throughout the planet, offers players a chance to showcase their work and talents, while also allows teams to scout for new talents through detailed stats and videos. This tool was meant to be an ace up his basketball jersey sleeve and Petridis knew it. “We were together in practice when Christ asked me to help him with his profile. He’s a great player, has a charismatic figure and soon he will be ready to do even bigger things in the court”.
It won’t be long before Christ applies for Aris’ job opening application that he finds on Athlenda. His unique talent stands the test, leading to his first professional live tryout! Head coach Vangelis Angelou is surprised with Wamba’s arsenal of skills, as well as his character traits. “He’s co-operative, obedient, smart, empathetic and has all the assets to try. We want to see how he will fit into our basketball philosophy“, tells Angelou. Just the right fit for a young player starting from point zero.
Wamba earns his spot on the Northern Greek’s team roster and starts training with the squad a few months back (the deal was officially announced earlier this week). Provided that all paperwork will be completed, he will find himself from playing on a secluded court to the big stage, that of the first division in Greece, as well as the Basketball Champions League Qualifying Rounds. Yet another challenge for Christ to overcome.
Despite his achievements so far, the 18-year-old prospect stays humble, with a dream to bring his family to Europe with him. Leaving home at such an early age can lead to heartache, let alone when you haven’t seen or contacted your family for nearly four years now. Christ will work his way to bring them to Greece from Congo, his faith in himself is strong. “I know that in about two years my career in basketball will be settled ’cause I won’t give up. I will never give up! I’ll prove myself in order to be back with my family again”, he confesses.
Wamba has five siblings back in Congo apart from his parents and rarely has the chance to be in contact with them. He mostly talks with his father whenever possible. However, he has found a second family in Thessaloniki. “My coach and teammates really help me, I think it’s going good so far”, tells Aris’ newly-signed forward.
One thing is for certain. Christ Wamba’s name will be on the spotlight for years to come. His mental strength gives hope to each and every one of us to never give up our dreams, no matter how distant or impossible they might seem. If anything, this kid from Congo traveled half a hemisphere to follow his destiny.
Photo credit: Aris BC