Riding between the NBA and the EuroLeague is the highlight of James Nunnally’s basketball career., but his career has been much more. Different environments, countries and languages give rise to innumerable experiences. Ups and downs, MVP’s and injuries, championships and heartbreak, all while pursuing the sport he loves.
In this motivational talk with the urban clothing brand GRRR, James Nunnally (San José, California, 1990) assures that there is nothing like lifting a Euroleague trophy: “It’s like the NBA of Europe that you achieve with your group of teammates”. What you see at the end of the course is that trophy lifting, but without a doubt, the path to get there is what determines that moment: “The boys fought all year, overcame difficulties and continued to attack, continued to attack and overcome obstacles. things together”.
The Euroleague is, according to him, the NBA of Europe, and Nunnally is closely familiar with the two leagues, in which he has vast experience: “Coming and going from the NBA to Europe, it’s a choice I made”. Atlanta, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Houston and New Orleans are on his record, and he assures that, if he had another chance, he would try again: “I want to succeed in the NBA. I can’t say that at least I didn’t try. I always try to reach my dreams. If I get another chance, maybe I’ll try again. I’m gonna keep trying until I can’t play anymore”.
Perseverance and hard work are, without a doubt, fundamental pillars in Nunnally’s career, but above all else, sacrifice stands out: “We sacrifice a lot. I missed birthdays, best friend’s weddings, my cousins’ celebrations… I’ve had a Thanksgiving dinner at my house in my ten year career”. Despite this, he recognizes himself privileged: “We have many benefits. This is a great job we have. We are lucky to have him, but we sacrifice a lot of time and time is something you can’t get back.”
One of the most sacrificial moments of his career was undoubtedly his terrible injury four years ago: “It was January 5, 2018, I remember the day. We were playing against Baskonia. I didn’t play the whole game until the fourth quarter, so I was frustrated. I wanted to dunk with one hand, I just remember putting it in and waking up in the ambulance trying to get back into the game”. The thing was serious:I had nine brain hemorrhages. Which means my brain was bleeding in nine little spots. They had to monitor me for two days”. After four years, he acknowledges that sometimes he still thinks about it when he goes out on the court, although he claims to have overcome it: “I definitely have to let go of fear. I have a very short memory. That’s what you must have in this game. You just have to think about the next play.”