*Photo credit Walter Saenen
Former Mason Patriot and 2012 CAA Player of the Year, Ryan Pearson (2008-12) visited campus last week to assist with a session of the Paul Hewitt Basketball Camps. While Pearson was on campus, GoMason.com sat down with "Bird" to catch up on what he's been doing since graduation and his professional career playing basketball overseas.
What have you been doing since graduation?
After graduation, I signed my first professional contract to play in Ukraine. It was a different way of life and a different experience for me. It took me awhile to get adjusted, but I had some good teammates that really helped me through it. We made the playoffs in my first year. This past summer, I played in Israel. I left in December and played in Belgium. While in Belgium, I had a good season and my team went to the semi-finals in our league. I have signed another contract to play with Port of Antwerp Giants for this upcoming season.
When does the overseas playing season run?
It runs from August to May. In some countries you get a Christmas break or a few days off, but most countries, you are there the whole season.
How is playing different overseas?
There are a lot of things legal here in terms of the calls that are not legal overseas. It changes the game and makes it slower in a way. Here, guys are very fast and athletic. Overseas, it's about strategy; pick and roll, fundamental play. It breaks you down mentally and makes you re-learn the game. My transition my first year was tough. I had to learn the system overseas and it took me awhile, but now I have it down.
How often are you able to travel home during the season?
I don't really get to come home during the season. My year in Ukraine, I arrived August 1 and I came home around April 26. This past year, I was home for about a week because of my transition between Israel and Belgium.
Had you traveled abroad prior to your professional career?
Yes, I went to Italy with Mason the summer of my junior year. It was a great experience and the first time I'd been overseas. We got some playing experience playing a couple pro B teams. We did a lot of things – we went to Rome, the Coliseum, and the Vatican. It was a great team bonding experience to get us ready for the upcoming season.
Do you speak any foreign languages?
I know some words, but I can't really have a conversation with anybody.
How is the communication factor overseas, both on and off the playing court?
I experienced two sides of the coin. In Israel, Hebrew is the primary language, so communication really wasn't a problem. It's a beautiful country with great weather – I had a balcony that overlooked the ocean. It was easy to get around and overall, I had an amazing experience. But in Ukraine, it was a different world. Belgium is similar to Israel and it's easy to communicate. I'm in a big city in Belgium…it reminds me of New York in a way. From where I was at in the beginning to where I am now, I think I'm moving in the right direction.
On the team, communication is pretty easy. My coach speaks English and for the most part, everyone on the team speaks English. We had a diverse team last year. We were dominated by the Belgium guys, but we had around five guys that were imports as they call it. We had three Americans, one Serbian and an Australian.
What have been some cultural adjustments to living overseas?
The food is a big change. There are some similar fast food places that we have here, but I try to experience different things while I'm overseas. It took me about two weeks at first to learn how to get around, how to get to practice and how to get home. You actually almost had to go out and get lost to find things.
Do you drive overseas or use public transportation?
I drive. They give us a car, so that's actually very helpful.
How did Mason help you prepare for playing overseas?
Mason got me ready. My freshman year at Mason was a learning experience. I came in hungry and was ready to play. But I knew there were guys ahead of me and seniors on the team that I needed to learn from. It wasn't like high school. The coaching staff helped me a lot – they helped me improve my game and work on things. They always saw the potential for me to play professionally. They just wanted me to want it. Mason was a great experience. It helped me mature and be able to take on a new country by myself. I think coming here for four years was what I needed to do in order to have a successful career.
How has your game changed since playing overseas?
I was used as the energy guy at Mason. I was a scrapper. Overseas, I just do whatever the coach needs me to do. Getting on the same page as the coach is one of the hardest things to do overseas because they have players that have been there for years. I'm looked at as a young guy. I'm 24 and the rest of the guys are older than me. Whatever the coach wants me to do is what I do to stay on the floor.
Do you keep in touch with any of your Mason teammates?
Yes, I talk to a lot of them. I keep in touch with Mike Mo [Morrison], Kevin Foster, Andre Cornelius. I even talk to the current players – Corey Edwards, Vaughn Gray and Erik Copes because they were here while I was. I keep in touch with the coaching staff too. We built a relationship at Mason.
Have any of your Mason teammates visited you overseas?
Yes. Isaiah Tate visited me in Israel. He came out there for almost a month.
What brings you back to Mason?
I try to come back to Mason whenever I can, especially when all the guys are here. I always loved the campus and the environment. Every time I'm driving on I-95 and I know my exit is coming up, it brings back memories. It's great to be able to see even people that helped me through my collegiate career, like Ms. Debi [Debi Corbatto]. She helped keep me healthy for four years. Just to be able to see everyone, it makes me happy to come back.
