Rony Seikaly talks about his motivation to become one of the first international players in the NBA: "Let me be a pioneer"
In 2025, the abundance of international stars around the NBA is normal, as their steady rise has been a noted trend in recent years. However, that was far from the case in older eras of the Association. Players from all over the world started entering the league in the late 80s and early 90s, but even then, they were a minority without any significant roles.
One of the first was Rony Seikaly, a center of Lebanese descent. Seik was drafted ninth by the Miami Heat in the 1988 NBA Draft, the first pick for the new franchise in South Beach. According to Rony, his goal was to break the barrier and help other foreign players make the bold step of trying out their luck in the best league in the world.
"When I started playing basketball, basketball was an inner city sport. They never looked at European players; they never looked at any foreign-born players. It was all farmed in the U.S. I was one of the very few and first players to come from overseas to play basketball in the United States. It was a big gamble to take, because I know I could have been all set playing basketball in Greece, but I wanted the bigger challenge. And I figured, let me be a pioneer and be one of the very first few foreign basketball players to play at the highest level," Seikaly explained in a recent interview.
NBA bound
Born in Lebanon and attending an American school in Athens, Greece, Seikaly's basketball upbringing was international. However, he developed into a skilled 6'11" center who garnered interest from many European clubs.
However, Rony decided to go overseas after receiving a scholarship offer from Syracuse. As fate would have it, Seik spent four years with the Orange and turned himself into a legitimate NBA prospect who would eventually end up on the Heat.
"I came here and played against all the best players in high school. That's when I got a scholarship to play in college, and then in college, I was exposed to the whole television audience, the press and everything else. And that's when I was drafted as the number one pick to the Miami Heat," Rony added.
Seikaly spent the majority and best part of his career in Miami, averaging 15.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during his six seasons with the Heat. The Lebanese international also played for the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, and Golden State Warriors to round out a solid 11-year career in the golden era of the 90s.The rise of international basketball
While nowadays guys like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyma and many more are dominating in the NBA, with fresh batches of international prospects entering the league every year, it is evident that American players no longer hold power over the foreign guys. In fact, many would say that they have overtaken them and are more desirable for teams to have.
The rise in skill and adaptability the overseas guys have shown in recent years is impressive, but if pioneers like Seikaly, Drazen Petrovic, Vlade Divac, Toni Kukoc, and many other internationals had not taken risks 30+ years ago, all of this would not have been possible for the new generation.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
20 minutes ago
- USA Today
Is 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard ready to start for the Boston Celtics?
Is 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard ready to start for the Boston Celtics next season? There have been reports out there suggesting that the Celtics floor general has garnered the role this coming 2025-26 NBA regular season, edging out new arrival Anfernee Simons for the job, despite Simons having that role in his former home with the Portland Trail Blazers. Does it make sense for Pritchard to start for Boston next season, or would it make more sense to showcase a player the Celtics are reportedly trying to trade before the 2026 deadline. One person who knows what it is like to man the point for Boston is Celtics floor general alum Jeff Teague, who took some time on a recent episode of his "Club 520" podcast to talk over whether he thinks Fast PP is up for the challenge. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what he had to say about Pritchard at the point in a starting role next season. Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
30 years after ‘hoods,' NC school again faces scandal over racist incident
A Charlotte-area school district is facing criticism after a video of a student athlete using a racial slur circulated on social media. West Lincoln High School and Lincoln County Schools administrators apologized Monday after a social-media video circulated showing a student-athlete shouting the n-word repeatedly, WBTV reported. The school said those involved were disciplined according to district policy as it continues to investigate. 'The behavior displayed in this video is deeply disappointing, unacceptable, and does not reflect the values of West Lincoln High School, our athletic program, or our community,' the school's statement posted to Facebook reads. District and school officials are rolling out educational and restorative programs designed to strengthen respect, empathy and inclusion among students, according to a statement from the district emailed to The Charlotte Observer. Lincoln County Schools did not respond to The Observer's request for additional information about what types of educational and restorative programs would be put in place. A history of racism In the past several years, West Lincoln High School, whose mascot is the 'Rebels,' have been at the center of multiple racist incidents. Vandals painted the n-word and West Lincoln High School's athletic logo on the spirit rock at Lincolnton High School ahead of their homecoming football matchup in 2021, The Observer reported. In 2010, students at West Lincoln arrived to find an image of what appeared to be the hood of a Klansman painted on the school's spirit rock as part of a senior prank, WBTV reported. Since the incident, many Lincoln County Schools alumni have recounted incidents of racism at West Lincoln, ranging from waving Confederate flags as opposing team's buses approached to using racial slurs while on the field. According to one former West Lincoln student, the roots of the school's racial troubles reach back decades. In an essay titled '1993,' a West Lincoln alumnus writing under the name CE Martin recalled, while in college, seeing her alma mater 'displayed in all its racist glory' on the news. 'Our football field pressbox was painted with the Confederate flag, the same flag that hung below the American one on the flagpole, buffeted by the wind,' she wrote. 'The mascot was a cartoonish General Lee, fading on the bricks of a long-ago mural. It was 1993.' Martin wrote that she was particularly struck by the horses that surrounded a group of mostly white teenagers chanting, with riders who 'wore sheets with eyeholes crudely cut from a pair of scissors, maybe that morning.' Not just West Lincoln Racist incidents in Lincoln County schools aren't confined to West Lincoln. A TikTok video featuring two high school students at Lincoln Charter School in Denver circulated where students made racist remarks, WCNC reported. The school, which is not affiliated with Lincoln County Schools, prompted community outrage and public condemnation from school leaders. The video was tied to a TikTok trend where participants posed awkward, interview-style questions. 'What about Black people?' a student in the video asked. 'I think they are all ... we should go back to slavery, you know they are all [expletive],' another student answered. The Lincoln Charter school incident happened a month before former East Lincoln High School principal MaryBeth Avery issued an apology to parents after a video on race relations was shared with students at the school, The Denver Citizen reported. According to residents and Lincoln County Schools alumni, responses from the district have always been swift, but little change has occurred. 'Nothing has ever been done' Lincoln County Schools Board of Education Chairperson Christina Sutton noted a large turnout at the Tuesday meeting, with many attendees eager to address the board about the incident. 'We do always want to make sure constituents are heard, and we appreciate everybody's input and support at Lincoln County Schools,' she said. 'We do, as a board, strongly believe in transparency.' She later told residents comments would be taken during a closed session, due to student and personnel matters being involved. Lincoln County Schools took a smiliar position back in 2021 when racial slurs defaced school property. At that time, Superintendent Aaron Allen said 'we must recognize that we have a much longer way to go than some may want to admit.' It's unclear if the individuals involved in that incident were ever charged. When it comes to real change, residents remain skeptical. 'I personally feel like this whole issue should go to the NCHSAA because it is a fact that West Lincoln has had this behavior for at least 15+ years and nothing has ever been done,' Eboni Tinsley, a former East Lincoln High School student, posted to Facebook Tuesday. I found the meanest, baddest, cheapest, best burger in Mooresville Ready for high school football? Here's the 2025 Charlotte-area scrimmage schedule Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Open 4th round ATP, WTA results, schedule
MASON, OH − The Round of 32 concluded and the Round of 16 continued on Aug. 12 at the Cincinnati Open despite an afternoon rain delay. Many of tennis' biggest names advanced on Aug. 13, including Spanish world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and American Ben Shelton. However, French qualifier Terence Atmane took down American ATP No. 4 Taylor Fritz in the evening. Aug. 13 will feature some of the same stars in Round of 16 and quarterfinal contests. American WTA No. 2 Coco Gauff will face Italian Lucia Bronzetti on Center Court to kick off the day session. Also early in the day, Madeira native Caty McNally will take the Grandstand Court with Linda Noskova for a quarterfinal doubles match against Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe. After 4:30 p.m., Shelton will face ATP No. 26 Jiri Lehecka on the Grandstand Court. And to end the night, Atmane will look to continue his improbable run when he faces Rune on Center Court. The full schedule can be found here. The Enquirer provided live updates on Aug. 13. Anna Kalinskaya defeats Ekaterina Alexandrova to close night WTA No. 34 Anna Kalinskaya came back from a set down to defeat WTA No. 16 Ekaterina Alexandrova, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. Both players held serve well, with just four breaks in the entire match. Ekaterina Alexandrova and Anna Kalinskaya heading to third set WTA No. 16 Ekaterina Alexandrova and WTA No. 34 Anna Kalinskaya have split the first two sets after Kalinskaya won a second-set tiebreak 7-5 to send the match to a deciding set. Andrey Rublev cruises to quarterfinals ATP No. 11 Andrey Rublev defeated Francisco Comesana tidily, 6-2, 6-3, to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, where he will face world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. Rublev won 81% of his first serves and five of eight breaks. Alexander Zverev advances as opponent retires World No. 3 Alexander Zverev moved on to the quarterfinals after his opponent, ATP No. 12 Karen Khachanov, retired while the score was 7-5, 3-0. Carlos Alcaraz wins on Center Court Spanish ATP No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz ended Luca Nardi's remarkable run to the Round of 16 as a lucky loser with a tidy, 6-1, 6-4 victory. Alcaraz won 83% of his first serves and notched four breaks to secure his spot in the quarterfinals. Another American goes down as Elena Rybakina books a quarterfinals spot American WTA No. 6 Madison Keys fell to WTA No. 10 Elena Rybakina, 6-7 (7-3), 6-4, 6-2. Keys saw through just three of nine break points en route to the three-set defeat. Qualifier Terence Atmane upsets top-ranked American Qualifier Terence Atmane upset American ATP No. 4 Taylor Fritz, coming back from a set down to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Fritz, who lost in the semifinals of the National Bank Open in Canada, has now bowed out of the Cincinnati Open in the Round of 16. Aryna Sabalenka cruises to next round World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka quickly defeated Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in 1 hour, 21 minutes, 6-1, 7-5. She moved on to the quarterfinals. Felix Auger-Aliassime defeats Benjamin Bonzi Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, 6-4, 6-3, to move on to the Round of 16. He will face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner on Aug. 14. Jannik Sinner moves on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Adrian Mannarino after two closely contested sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). He moves on to the quarterfinals in his title protection quest. Ben Shelton on to Round of 16 After a rain delay paused his match, American ATP No. 6 Ben Shelton came back and powered his way through the second set to claim a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory over Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. Veronika Kudermetova defeats Claura Tauson Veronika Kudermetova beat Claura Tauson, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, to book herself a spot in the Round of 16. Play is back underway Play has begun again at the Cincinnati Open. On Center Court, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is facing Adrian Mannarino. On the Grandstand Court, world No. 6 Ben Shelton is matching up with Roberto Bautista Agut. Players back on the court The players have returned to the courts following the rain delay. Play should begin imminently. Play to resume shortly The Cincinnati Open announced that the courts are drying and play will resume shortly. No play before 5 p.m. at the Cincinnati Open A light rain has continued to fall in Mason and the Cincinnati Open has announced there will be no play before 5 p.m. No play before 4 p.m. at the Cincinnati Open There will be no play at the Cincinnati Open before 4 p.m., the tournament has announced. Play suspended at the Cincinnati Open For the second straight day, play has been suspended at the Cincinnati Open due to rain. American Ben Shelton prevails in 1st-set tiebreak Ben Shelton, the ATP No. 5 seed, won 7-6 (3) in the first set over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut. Shelton is coming off a title in the Canadian Open and trails, 2-1, in the second set. ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner wins opening set World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is continuing his Rookwood Cup defense on Center Court and opened with a 6-4 first-set victory over qualifier Adrian Mannarino. Sinner, who is on a nine-match winning streak after a Wimbledon title, trails 2-1 in the second set. Another reigning finalist falls at Cincinnati Open The Aug. 13 day session has started with back-to-back reigning finalists falling on Center Court. First, it was Frances Tiafoe retiring in the second set against Holger Rune. Then, WTA No. 4 Jessica Pegula resumed her match against No. 31 seed Magda Linette and fell 6-3 in the third set. Linette broke Pegula in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead, then held serve to advance to the Round of 16. Jessica Pegula vs. Magda Linette coming down to the wire No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula and No. 31 seed Magda Linette are battling in the third set on Center Court. It is tied 3-3 with each seeded star holding serve thus far in the third set. Alexander Zverev beats Brandon Nakashima in Cincinnati Open Alexander Zverev needed just a few minutes to win one game and finish off No. 27 seed Brandon Nakashima in the Round of 32 by a 6-4, 6-4 score. Zverev will face No. 14 seed Karen Khachanov in the Round of 16. Iga Swiatek beats Sorona Cirstea to reach quarterfinals Iga Swiatek, the WTA No. 3, has her 24th WTA 1000 quarterfinals appearance after eliminating Sorona Cirstea in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Holger Rune knocks out defending Cincinnati Open finalist Holger Rune is the first player to advance to the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals after Frances Tiafoe retired in the second round. Rune led the second set, 3-1, when Tiafoe retired. This marks Rune's 10th ATP 1000 quarterfinals appearance. He'll face either Taylor Fritz or qualifier Terence Atmane for a spot in the semifinals. Holger Rune takes opening set from Frances Tiafoe Holger Rune got a key break, then held serve to take the opening set from Frances Tiafoe, 6-4. Rune is one set away from his 100th career hard-court victory and 10th ATP 1000 quarterfinals appearance. Fourth round of Cincinnati Open underway Day 9 of the Cincinnati Open has begun with some of the top tennis stars trying to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. On the Grandstand Court, WTA No. 3 Iga Swiatek, who is in pursuit of the deep run that has eluded her in six previous Cincinnati appearance, just took the first set from Sorona Cirstea, 6-4. Cincinnati is one of two WTA 1000 events (Canada) Swiatek has appeared in without reaching the final. She is a two-time semifinalist. A victory over Cirstea would mark Swiatek's 24th WTA 1000 quarterfinals appearance. In a battle between two ATP Top 10 seeds on Center Court, Frances Tiafoe (No. 10) and Holger Rune (No. 7) are locked in a back-and-forth first set that is tied at 4-4. Last year, Tiafoe became the first American male to reach the Cincinnati Open finals since 2013. Aug. 13 schedule at the Cincinnati Open Both World No. 1s will be in action Aug. 13 in Mason. WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is bidding for her fourth consecutive quarterfinals appearance when she faces Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Center Court to conclude the day session. Jannik Sinner faces qualifier Adrian Mannarino on Center Court. Sinner is 7-1 in ATP 1000 events this year. More: The vlogging victors: Sabalenka, Sinner more than just reigning champs at Cincinnati Open Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton will play in the Round of 32 against Roberto Bautista Agut Aug. 13 on the Grandstand Court. Opening up on the Grandstand is WTA No. 3 Iga Swiatek, who is 4-0 all-time against her Round of 16 opponent, Sorona Cirstea. The Enquirer will update this story. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Open results from 4th round of ATP, WTA
