Here is another in the long line of USA Select basketball players who got their start with us. Greg attended the tryout at Bryan College in Dayton, TN, then came to the final event in Charlotte.
In the first of a series of interviews with EBL players and coaches, former BBL player Todd Cauthorn, now an England Basketball staff member, spoke with the latest scoring sensation from USA Select Basketball and plays for the Glamorgan Gladiators, Greg Hernandez.
With his fellow American compatriot, Todd talks about adapting to life in the UK and a bit about his playing history in the United States:
It has been said that it takes a while for American players to settle in when going to a new country to play basketball.
Any number of things can cause someone to become uncomfortable; whether it’s a radical change in the weather, different kinds of food or just being away from home. Adjusting to a new culture and country can sometimes take a person several months to come to grips with.
Fortunately for the Glamorgan Gladiators that doesn’t seem to be the case with their American import Greg Hernandez. Currently averaging 35 points a game along with 17 rebounds it seems to have taken Greg no time at all to adjust to life in Wales. And considering that he is from the glamorous city of Miami, Florida that really says something about coach Steve Williams and his wife Angela, who have gone the extra mile to make sure that Greg has all he needs to play his best; but more on that later.
Glamorgan are currently 5-1 and in 3rd place in Division 2 with their only league loss coming to Team Northumbria where they were leading for portions of the game and according to Greg “Got a little tired, and didn’t finish down the stretch.”
Greg is the first to credit his teammates for always looking for him on offense, especially the guards who he says, “Do a great job of penetrating and finding him near the basket.”
About his time back in the States, Greg said, “I averaged around 20 points and 10 rebounds in college and was a Division 3 All American (at Maryville College in Knoxville, Tennessee) but with Glamorgan I play the whole game and those extra minutes allow me to put a lot of points on the board. As long as we are winning I hope the rich vein of form continues.”
Interviewing Greg made me realise that this was not a normal high-scoring superstar. He is very humble and genuinely loves where he is right now. He is coaching in Swansea schools as well an Under 18 team there and really enjoys working with the younger players in the area.
“Coach Steve Williams and his wife Angela have made me feel so welcome. I would love to be involved with Glamorgan for the foreseeable future,” he admitted. “We could make a real push to get into Division 1 this season and earn some respect for what is happening in the club.”
One thing is certain, as long as Greg is playing well the team will more often than not put themselves in a position to win and that is what every team aspires to.
“I spent last year working in the ‘real world’ and found that basketball was where I needed to focus my energy in order to be happy. As long as I am around the sport I feel like I will be doing something positive.”