Playing With Purpose at the University of Arizona

Over the last four years, Omar Thielemans has become an inseparable part of the SportQuest basketball program in Ghent, Belgium.  He… Read more Playing With Purpose at the University of Arizona

Over the last four years, Omar Thielemans   has become an inseparable part of the SportQuest basketball program in Ghent, Belgium.  He has been at every summer basketball camp as well as many of the SQ Reunions throughout the year.  Omar is a very talented basketball player and overall athlete, but he is also someone who cares genuinely about people and thinks deeply about life.  Recently, he received a scholarship to play in the U.S. at the University of Arizona — one of the top basketball programs in the country.  SportQuest discussed this exciting new opportunity with Omar and asked him how his experience with SportQuest has helped to prepare him to Play With Purpose at the University of Arizona.

Describe how it feels to see all your hard work paying off and to receive a scholarship to play at the University of Arizona?

To be honest, it really felt like I thought it would.  A lot of people told me America was overhyped and I shouldn’t expect too much, but when I went on an official visit — which was only 3 days — it already felt like a dream come true.

What do you think will be the biggest adjustment or challenge for you playing against U.S. Division 1 competition?

I think I’ll have to play less passive and more aggressive because Americans are typically way stronger.

What are your goals during your collegiate career and even beyond?

I want to develop myself as a player as much as I can but also grow as a man.  Hopefully, I can play professionally after college.

How do you feel about moving so far away from home?

Honestly, moving away from home isn’t that big of a deal for me. It’ll be the 4th country I’ve lived in (along with Gambia, France, and Belgium), so moving is natural to me now.

What is something you can takeaway from your SportQuest experiences that can help you in college?

Before SportQuest I really played basketball without a purpose, but SportQuest helped me learn to play with purpose.  I used to think I had to play basketball to prove people wrong, and honestly I still kind of do, but there’s so much more to it now.  I want to make sure I’m happy as well, to be confident in who I am, and one day be able to take care of my family.

How has SportQuest and the relationships you developed there made an impact on your life?

When I first came to SportQuest I thought everything people did in life was pointless, but when I saw the reasons why people at SportQuest persevered through hard times and how they shared their experiences with other people, I realized that basketball is not just a sport — it’s a way of communicating.  That’s the powerful thing about basketball.  It doesn’t just teach you the fundamentals of sports but also of life.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with SportQuest?

I think probably the talks that they gave us everyday when they shared about their life and faith. Those moments were really helpful and gave us some good life lessons. (Another favorite memory is that game where I went off against the SportQuest team!)

Besides working hard on your game everyday, what else do you do to keep your mind and spirit healthy and fit?

I think to improve you have to keep the same schedule every day, try to strive for greatness, and of course never cheat the grind.  I pray every time I go to sleep that God protects me through my journey — and not only me but my family and all the people who need it. When I see where I’m at now, I just know I didn’t make it this far for nothing. This is only the beginning.

Where have you found inspiration to keep going during difficult times?

My inspiration is really my family. Everything I do is so I can make sure that one day they’ll be in a better place.

How can the SportQuest Family be praying for you as you prepare for the Fall semester?

You guys could pray that I’ll do great on my exams because that’s probably the last big step for me before I leave Belgium.  Also pray that things will go well for me in the U.S.!