As a young athlete growing up, the ultimate dream is to play at the professional level. However in the average year, the NBA has only about 400 players on their active rosters. This does not leave a lot of space for the many student-athletes leaving college. 

For most, attention is turned overseas for a chance to pursue their professional aspirations. Three former UMass Lowell men's basketball team members, who played under Head Coach Pat Duquette, are currently overseas doing just that. Akeem Williams and Marco Banegas-Flores are both following their basketball dreams in France, while Antonio Bivins is in Luxemburg. 

Banegas-Flores is keeping busy preparing for a team that is waiting to take a chance on him.

"I am in France for the summer, and I spend my days either working out for teams or helping with running summer camps," Banegas-Flores said.  "At the camps, I help teach the kids several sports, but the big focus is on basketball."

When he is not working with the kids, he is working towards landing a roster spot. 

"On workout days, we play exhibition games," explained the former River Hawk, who came to UMass Lowell in 2014-15 from Northeastern to play his final year of eligibility as a graduate student. 

"Coaches and scouts come and watch, and if they are interested, they approach the players after the games."

Growing up, Banegas-Flores did not envision himself playing overseas. 

"France was a chance to get my foot in the door," he detailed. "I'm in a nice and safe city. It has good weather, and a lot of the teams in France are respectable and contend for titles."

Williams, who already has a year playing for a squad in France under his belt, echoed Banegas-Flores thoughts on France.

"I chose France because it is at least somewhat similar to America," Williams said. "They have stable businesses. Overall, it felt pretty safe. Plus, I got to join one of the best leagues in the country."

Williams does not have a lot of time to get to enjoy his new surroundings, however.

"Basketball overseas is the same thing as getting a job after school," stated the River Hawks' third highest all-time scorer. "It was tough to embrace the idea that I am here to work, rather than have fun."

Living overseas has definitely been an adjustment for Williams.

"Language has been the biggest barrier to overcome," he explained. "I use apps to help translate every day and I am trying to learn French. Learning how to drive standard and cook for myself was also not an easy process. Even the eight hour time difference took its toll. Plus, they tell time through military time, so I never knew when things were happening."

On the flip side, Bivins said the transition to playing in Luxemburg was made easy by the people. 

"Everyone is fun, and it made my transition easy," mentioned Bivins. 

However, playing on such a big stage so far away from home was not all that easy. 

"That was the toughest part," described Bivins. "There is so much more pressure to succeed that I was ever used to. Eating was also hard for me. I started out by going out to eat four or five times a week, but it has gotten to a point where I usually call my mom to help me prepare meals."

The former UMass Lowell players were all impressed by the passion displayed by the fans overseas.

"The people really love soccer, to the point where I have become a fan," laughed Bivins. "However, they are also very passionate about their specific teams. They would even stay up to watch the Warriors pursue the record, and March Madness was popular here too."

Williams has observed similar tendencies in France. 

"Soccer is big here and that is what they love. The fans that do like basketball though are really passionate about it. If they recognize you, they will walk up and talk to you about the game or your opponent." 

The trio also agreed that basketball is no walk in the park overseas. 

"Being one of only three Americans on the team is tough," Williams stated. "Seven other guys on the team would barely talk to us. We meet up for practice, put in our work, and go our separate ways. It is an adjustment from having the comradery on American sports teams while growing up." 

"I tell people every day, pro ball is like any other job," Banegas-Flores concluded. "Once you graduate, you need to build up your basketball resume. You need to enter the world of jobs. You sign a contract and you put in work. It requires patience, a high level of confidence, and believing in yourself. You never know when an opportunity will arise."