Living in a country where 9 out of 10 kids prefer playing soccer or baseball before basketball, it was kind of difficult for me to agree with the fact that basketball was turning into a Global Sport. Although it’s all over the news: Argentina and Spain are basketball juggernauts, many Chinese play basketball, NBA players choosing to play in Europe. These are hard and proven facts that many people really like basketball around the Globe and, maybe soon, it will match the passion and hype that sports like soccer and baseball get around here. But I had never seen it with my own eyes…until now.

My wife and I decided to take a few days off work, maybe forget about traffic, the stress of the city, the slumping Yankees, and (I didn’t agree to this) basketball. She decided to go Bocas Del Toro, which is a place that tourists define as “heaven on earth” and “paradise”. I guess I have to agree with these remarks, the place is gorgeous. I had gone when I was 19 years old and had the time of my life, great surf, booze, girls, and reggae music. Obviously this time (6 years later) it was not going to be like that, I begged my wife so I could take my surf board with me but failed miserably (I know…I’m whipped), so I guessed that she really wanted to be with me, she even booked a room with no TV, and it’s not like we were going to get cable anyways!

When I got there, I was amazed by the beauty of the place, but also by its poverty. Most of the locals are fisher men and they can barely support their families. They also earn a living by providing tours to different islands close by, but with the gas prizes going up, it’s not really profitable.

So on my second day of being there, I was getting ready to take a walk up the beach and I heard a ball bounce, the unmistakable sound of a slightly deflated basketball bouncing against rough cement. I went out and saw a bunch of people walking behind the guy who had the ball and I asked a kid where they were going:

Kid: To the Basketball Court

Panama: Are you kidding? There’s a basketball court here?

Kid: Yeah, the guys play every weekend against teams from other Islands

Panama: Seriously? But is it like pick up games or an organized league?

Kid: Organized league, by the way, here they come!

The kid was pointing towards the dock and when I turned my head I saw a total of seven wood boats packed with people.

So I decided to drop by and watch the game. The kid said the basketball court was really close, but after walking 40 minutes without getting there, I understood that his perception of the word “close” was slightly different than mine.

We finally got there and I noticed that the court was in perfect conditions, net-less hoops, fiberglass boards and completely painted, slightly covered by white sand.  

The game was awesome; people cheered their teams with chants and music. I saw barefooted dunks, blocks and great passes, excellent basketball level. They played with great intensity and it seemed no one wanted to give in. They really wanted to win.

After it ended, everyone shook hands and hung out talking about the game, Reggae music prevailed and I got to play some 3 on 3 with some of the guys who were not tired after playing under the sun for 45 minutes. After we finished playing I asked them about the B-court and if some politician had come to build it looking for some votes. He managed not to laugh in my face and said that they had gathered the money for 3 years, and by saying they, he meant everyone from other islands too. They thought that it would be a good idea to bring people together, forget about the problems and enjoy the games and the party that came afterwards. Apparently it turned out just like they planned.

So after taking the long walk back, I had to explain my wife where I spent most of the day, (Did I mention that I’m whipped? I did? Ok…) the cuts in my feet and my really sweaty T-shirt. After hearing me out she just rolled her eyes and told me to take a shower (Damn Spurs fan) I kid I kid!

So, most of us find peace in being with our relatives, going to beach resorts, reading a great book…But the people that I met in Bastimento’s Island find peace and happiness in playing basketball, the game is what brings them together and makes them forget about any problems that they surely have. That is something that I will never forget