Former Myrtle Beach High basketball standout Akeem Hemingway is going to Mexico for Christmas.
Hemingway said he will be leaving Minnesota – where he is living with cousin Ramon Sessions, who plays for the Timberwolves – Christmas Day for Guadalajara, Mexico, where he will embark on a professional basketball career.
Hemingway said he will be put on display for five days, starting Dec. 26, for several teams that will afterward select from that group players for their season that runs from February through July.
Hemingway said the opportunity was relayed to him earlier this week by Connors State coach Bill Muse. Hemingway said a former Connors State teammate has played in this particular Mexican league, which is part of FIBA Americas.
It's been a long journey to get here. I'll let him tell you his story:
Q | Tell me a little bit about your path and how it is ultimately leading to south of the border later this month.
Akeem | After college, my first year when I got out I entered the NBA Development League draft and I went down to the predraft camp, participated in the predraft camp. How that works,12 contracts are given out. I didn't get a contract. And then later on that summer, around October actually, I got a call from two teams - the Idaho Stampede and Dakota Wizards. I got a passport and flew to Toronto - that's where the Idaho Stampede had their team camp and I participated in that. There, I worked out in front of the Toronto Raptors and Premier Basketball League team Halifax Rainmen, of Canada - (whom he had already been in contact with). Idaho was there, too, of course. That was a great experience. Idaho is the NBDL affiliate for Toronto and the Trail Blazers. I ended up getting cut. That was kind of tough on me so I had to make a decision on what to do.
On to MilwaukeeAkeem | Ramon kind of backed me up on my plans and on what I wanted to do. [So] I moved to Milwaukee (where Sessions was playing last year) and began training with him. He showed me the ins and outs. I got to see all the home NBA games up close and personal. I learned a lot from that. It's kind of crazy because the whole plan was to get me on the Bucks summer league team. That was into play and didn't wind up working out. Before you knew it, I got in touch with (former Socastee High) coach [Dan] D'Antoni of the New York Knicks. I was on their draft board for the summer league - Coach D really bent over backward for me. [But] I didn't wind up getting picked. Before heading into this past summer, Ramon moved to Atlanta, so I went there with him to work out. (Note: At the time Sessions was a restricted free agent with the Bucks).
Back in the Dirty South - A-T-LAkeem | In Atlanta I ended up working out with some former NBA players - Travis Best, Eric Snow, Anthony Johnson (actually still playing with Orlando), even Jerry Stackhouse. I was kind of in the position where I had to prove myself, going against these guys. I learned a lot from those guys. The crazy thing I thought was being a little kid watching TV, I just saw those guys on TV. Before you know it, I was working out with them. They were actually giving me props. They were like, "Dream (nickname), man he can play." Travis Best would give me a lot of pointers, like working on my body, getting stronger. Snow was showing me more little moves, how to draw fouls. I did a lot of working out with Anthony Johnson, helping with his summer league camps. He invited me and I did two of his camps with him. That was pretty cool. I built a great relationship with those guys, man. Jerry Stackhouse, I started working out with him toward the end.
No luck with the NBDL's Reno Bighorns, 9-5 time? (Meanwhile, Sessions signs with Timberwolves)Akeem | I was waiting to hear back from Reno. It didn't work out. When I went to Minnesota with Ramon I was planning on starting on life, more of a career path. One day the ball has to stop dribbling. But I was still wanting to play. I still loved the game, though. I'm actually still working out now. I'm working out in the gym at the Timberwolves practice facility. I'm down there working out.
Q | That is, of course, only for a little while longer now. You're off to Mexico soon.
Akeem | It's just now that I've got the offer, I think everything will definitely work out. It's just a long, hard grind. I would advise any kid out there who wants to get involved in this game to take it serious. In high school you love it and it was fun. In college and at the professional level it's more of a business. You have to take the down side, you have to be able to bounce back. I never let it stop me because I felt more and more confidence since I've done it. Me, personally, I think I've gotten better from learning so much from those guys this summer. That's how I knew I loved the game because when I was cut I didn't want to give up. The fire was still there and it only made me want it more. I think things will start looking up. I think all things have a positive ending.
Q | But, first there is a beginning. How's your Spanish?
Akeem | No, I don't speak any Spanish at all. [My former teammate who has been playing down there] was telling me the foods, he was telling me the foods not to eat and stuff so, it's all a [culture] shock, but you know, I'm looking forward to it.
Q | Looks like soon you'll be far away from your cousin, best friend, Ramon. Have you thought much about that?
Akeem | Ramon's a big guy. He's grown up now. He can handle a lot of stuff. Any time he needs me I'm there. I couldn't tell you how much Ramon has done for me. If anything, he motivated me. We had a conversation [Wednesday] night about me going to Mexico. He had nothing but great things to say. We motivate each other. I don't look at him as a big NBA star, because he's still the same Ramon, my young cousin who I played with in high school and grew up with.
Q | Playing international basketball is a great opportunity, yet also can be quite a challenge. What's your outlook?
Akeem | The opportunity is big. A lot guys worry too much about the money. You don't look at the money. You look at the opportunity. I let my game speak for me. That's how I've always been since high school. I'm not bragging, but I never question my skill. I think my game does speak for itself. A lot of people ask, "Why is he not playing anywhere?" That's just how the chips fall. And I'm OK with that. So I just keep grinding. I love to do this, man.
Q | That being said, you seem to have a great opportunity to let your game do the talking. With the nature of the beast - I've heard the economy is having a great impact on even international basketball - would you have it any other way?
Akeem | If you have to think about it, I'm around the fire so I'm warm. As you know with the NBDL this year, it got cut back to eight rounds. When you're in the gym and guys like Jerry Stackhouse is in there working out - you know [it's tough right now]. Teams go with guys with experience, a solid resume. I don't have that. You can't get down about it. You've got to take different routes. You have to start from somewhere, this is going to be my first year playing [pro ball]. Another guy will come back next year [like I was] and have no background. I'll get taken ahead of him because I have more experience at the pro level. That's just the business side of it. But I'm just excited for the opportunity, to get on the court and show what I can do.
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