AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – For some athletes, having success can have a lot to do with their fit on the team they play for.
Making the trip across the Atlantic and landing in Augusta was the best thing for one Augusta University basketball star.
At 16 years old, Maximillian Amadasun moved from Dublin, Ireland to New York City with hopes of following his dreams on the basketball court.
“I’m thankful to have a lot of friends that care for me, and told me, you know, you’re tall so you should play basketball, and I said, ‘Okay let’s do it,’” said Amadasun.
The 6 foot 10 inch center spent time at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of St. Bonaventure before finding his home away from home at Augusta University.
Head Coach Dip Metress said: “He had a great line on his visit. I said something about working hard, he goes I continue to work hard because I must not have been good enough to play at the places I was before. Didn’t blame a coach, didn’t blame the meal plan, didn’t blame anything. So, I knew then he was made of something.”
Amadasun said: “With Dip, he’ll always give you some form of freedom in a way to be yourself and that’s one thing I love about this system, the environment.”
His work ethic and attention to detail make him a perfect fit for Metress and the Jags.
“He averaged the most rebounds of anybody I’ve coached in my 20 years, and I would say this, I’ve had a lot of bigger guys he’s the hardest working guy over 6 foot 8 inch that I’ve had,” said Metress.
Amadasun said: “Sticking to it just, you know, chopping wood, carrying water each and every day doing the same stuff and good results will come out of it.”
Being an international player living in Augusta is something Amadasun takes a lot of pride in.
“The number is slowly growing, but I’m one of few that play basketball in the States let alone live in America for sports or anything. It is you know, good to share different cultures and share different experiences with people because some people might never ever get to go to Ireland. So, it’s good to tell people about where I’m from,” he said.
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