After a rough start in Greece – freezing weather, no American TV, and a riot – things are definitely looking up. In this week's practice, I continued to focus on learning the plays of my new team which takes a little longer than usual when your coach is explaining them in Greek. Fortunately, my coach is awesome and has tremendous patience with her fresh-off-the-plane American player. Of course, it also helps to have a translator on standby.
I had some initial difficulty adjusting to the basketballs we use in practice. I was used to a padded ball with a lot of grip. The basketballs we practice and play with in Greece don't have any grip. It took a few practices, but I have adjusted to the feel of the ball and after a couple weeks I hardly think about the difference.
Shooting 3-pointers has always been my trademark and I wanted to be able to do the same overseas. When I first started talking to people about my desire to play basketball overseas, I kept hearing that the 3-point line is about a foot farther out than college ball in the States. I started increasing my range last June and it has definitely paid off.
Off the court, I am sharing an apartment with the only other American on my team. She also played in Greece last season and has introduced me to several other Americans currently playing basketball in Greece. We got together one night this past week for a night of cards and TV in English! As we were introducing ourselves, something became obvious really quick. These girls were all from Division I schools, including the University of Vermont, West Virginia, NC State, University of Missouri, and Miami University. When I said I was from Christopher Newport University, they all looked at me with blank faces. I explained CNU was a top-notch Division III school in Newport News, VA. I feel really blessed that I was given this opportunity. There are so many talented Division 1 players around the U.S that want to be where I am. To know that my agent and my coach believe I have something to offer this professional women's basketball organization means so much to me.
GAME DAY! There were so many thoughts going through my head coming in to today's game. This would be my first professional game. Wow – I am a professional basketball player! I had dreamed about playing overseas, but now I was actually doing it – 7,000 miles from home. Okay, time to focus and think about the game ahead and prove to myself and everyone else that I deserve to be here. At CNU I was used to starting every game but I knew that was not a given with the Panathinaikos Basketball Club. While I did not start, it was only about a minute into the game when I heard "Chelsie, get in there!" I ran to the score table and waited for the next dead ball and as soon as I got in the game, I made a step back 3 in the corner! What a rush! That shot helped to relieve a lot of built up anxiety. I had made my first professional basket! After that was behind me, I quickly got into the flow of the game. My team was up by 9 at half time. The Coach came in the locker room letting us know she was proud of us and showing us some things to do differently when we went back on the court. We won the game but I don't remember the final score. I played just over 30 minutes and added 16 points, including four 3s. Yes, increasing my range definitely paid off.
My biggest adjustment is still not having my family and friends close by. I appreciate all the support I am getting from everyone, including all the posts on my Facebook and twitter page. You can find me on Facebook under Chelsie Alexa Schweers or follow me on twitter: @chelsieschweers. I usually post daily! Be sure to keep reading my blog. I plan to post pictures next week! Hope everyone is doing great back home! I miss y'all!! I have the best support/fans out there – y'all are awesome!!
