Once hailed as a potential NBA star and now a standout in Europe, Rasheed Sulaimon has redefined what it means to overcome hurdles in his basketball journey. Since leaving College Park, Maryland in 2016, Sulaimon has paved a successful career overseas, racking up accolades like a league MVP and dazzling fans across various European leagues.
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard, once a key player for Mark Turgeon's Sweet 16 squad, currently impresses with an average of 12.3 points per game for KK Buducnost in Montenegro. Yet, his path to success wasn’t always smooth.
In a revealing chat on Winning the Journey Within, Sulaimon reflected on how pivotal Mark Turgeon was in reviving not just his basketball trajectory but his life. His relationship with Turgeon traces back to his early teenage years.
"I remember the first college offer I got was from Mark Turgeon at Texas A&M when I was just 13," Sulaimon shared. Despite choosing Duke later, Sulaimon acknowledged the unyielding support from Turgeon, even when adversity struck at Duke.
Sulaimon's freshman year at Duke was promising—starting 33 games and scoring a high of 27 points against Maryland. But his journey took an abrupt turn when offcourt issues led to his departure.
This twist in his career saw him landing at Maryland, where Turgeon and assistant coach Dustin Clark, well aware of Sulaimon's character and potential, quickly opened their doors to him. The connection wasn't just because Turgeon knew him well but also because they believed in his accountability and character amid the murky situation at Duke.
Recalling those turbulent times at Duke, Sulaimon expressed gratitude for the strong support system at Maryland. "At that time, I was angry and withdrawn.
I wasn't myself," Sulaimon admitted. Basketball became his therapy, though the emotional ups and downs were unrelenting.
He credits Turgeon and the Maryland staff for stabilizing his life and keeping him focused on his career goals, even when quitting seemed tempting.
Reflecting on the fallout at Duke, Sulaimon candidly recounted feeling misunderstood and let down by the process but ultimately found strength and resilience. "It taught me a lot...
I couldn't even look in the mirror for a while, but I realized I could come back stronger and continue to play the game at a high level," he shared. The influence of his family—particularly his parents, who hail from Nigeria and Jamaica—imparted a resilient work ethic that buoyed him through challenges.
Recalling his early fondness for basketball, spurred by watching the Houston Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon as a child, Sulaimon's path seemed destined. Yet, he encountered further bumps when he decided to forgo an NBA draft opportunity after his freshman year at Duke, a choice that saw him go undrafted his senior year despite initial promises from teams like the Boston Celtics. Undeterred, Sulaimon seized opportunities with the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets, using these experiences to hone his skills.
In hindsight, Sulaimon embraces the European chapter of his career, which also delivered personal blessings. "If I hadn't signed to play in Europe, I might have missed meeting my wife and having my children," he mused, highlighting the importance of gratitude over dwelling on what might have been.
Even as he reflects on the rocky yet rewarding road, Sulaimon remains a testament to resilience and the unwritten victories in sports and life. He now stands not just as an accomplished athlete overseas but as a matured individual, living the dream he once scribbled as a child, encapsulated best by the advice he'd give his younger self: "Trust yourself.
You're as good as you think you are. Keep working, and always believe in yourself."
