Irish basketball star Travis Black has an Italian job on his hands but reckons the future is bright for the game back home.
At the age of 29, Dubliner Black has already endured his fair share of highs and lows in the sport.
There was the chance to fulfil every young player's dream of playing in the US, before an eligibility row curtailed his Stateside college basketball career after a promising start.
Representing Ireland on the European stage two years ago was a proud moment for Black and his basketball-mad family.
Now he plies his trade for Basket Messina - a Sicilian club battling for promotion to the Italian second tier.
Black is relishing the lifestyle and passion for the game in a country with one of the top basketball scenes outside of the USA.
"It's real laid-back, the people are nice, the weather is warm most of the time and everybody just goes with the flow," he told Mirror Sport.
"The standard of the league this year is strong, there are five teams in the running to win the league championship. My team is third with 19 wins and 3 losses.
"Most teams have two or three international players, but yeah, I’m having fun and enjoying myself. Any time you're doing what you love, winning and competing, it’s always fun."
Black played his youth basketball with Swords and school ball with Ardscoil Ris in Marino, before his dream took him across the Atlantic.
Once there, he helped his junior college, Spartanburg, to an overall record of 65-8 and a No 1 ranking in the country. Then came a call from Clayton State University, in Division 2 of the NCAA, the second tier of college basketball in the US.
Red tape blocked him from playing however, due to an NCAA ruling relating to his graduation from high school in both Ireland and the US.
An online campaign with the hashtag #LetTravisPlay was mounted, but to no avail.
He reflected: "The experience was hard but a great learning curve in my life.
"When something that I loved and worked hard for was taken away from me, it really tested my character as a person, and taught me how to handle yourself when you hit rock bottom, which was the case for me at the time. I’m thankful for that in a way."
Black spent some time coaching in Atlanta and featured for Swords Thunder in the Super League, with his form earning him a call-up to the Ireland national team came in 2018.
The Irish team finished third in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, with Black to the fore.
That achievement came just 10 years after a financial crisis for Basketball Ireland forced the governing body to suspend national teams.
"It was a great experience for me," Black said.
"It was my first ever International call-up at any level, we ended up winning a bronze medal but it was something I didn’t want to take for granted.
"I think the international stage has a very bright future for men’s and women’s senior teams, because of the players involved, and also because of the underage teams coming up who have had big success competing and beating very high-level countries."
Wearing the green on the international stage was a source of pride not only for Travis, but for his father Ken, a well-known coach in Irish basketball circles.
A native of North Carolina, he played and coached in the States before bringing his expertise to Ireland, coaching in schools and clubs and running a variety of camps.
Travis hopes to follow his father's footsteps into coaching whenever his playing days come to an end, adding: "I always keep my family updated on my progress and they've been a great support system.
"Summer camps were big for me growing up.
"I learned from some of the great Americans like Gerald Kennedy, Lennie MacMillian, Kelvin Troy, Randall Mounts, and many more who all played in Ireland and who I still talk to for advice.
"Now I have the opportunity to be able to give back and coach at my father's Potential's Basketball Camp.
"I'd always encourage the youth to do multiple camps because you're constantly learning from different basketball perspectives."
Black is not sure what the future holds after this season. Continuing his professional path is the plan, whether that is in Italy or elsewhere in Europe.
He is certain, however, that there is plenty of Irish talent ready to follow him into the professional ranks in the coming years.
Rising star Aidan Igiehon has been tipped for stardom after he was recruited by the Louisville Cardinals - a top basketball college in the US. Dubliner Igiehon is not the only Irish prospect on course to enjoy a long career in the sport.
"It’s exciting to see a guy like Aidan Igiehon playing in the best conference in college basketball," Black added.
"You have guys like Jordan Blount, Sean Jenkins, Sean Flood, Matt Treacy and many others playing at good Division One Universities. You have Edel Thornton, who just finished 4 years at a high level, and now many other young players, both male and female in prep schools working their way up to get scholarships. It’s great.
"One thing about American college coaches is that they know talent when they see it. It just goes to show you that it doesn’t matter what your background is, if you're from a small country or city, if you're willing to put the work in out you can achieve what you want.
"So these examples can inspire and motivate the young talent of the future."
The experience in Italy has been overwhelmingly positive, as Black's club enjoy a strong season and a tilt at promotion.
One sad note of late was the tragic death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant in January. The LA Lakers legend grew up in Italy and his loss was mourned among the strong basketball community there.
Bryant was based close to Black's current home during the seven years he spent in Italy as a kid.
Black reflected: "Kobe actually lived 15 minutes from where I’m Currently located in Reggio Calabria when his father played professionally here in Italy.
"I’ve seen old outdoor basketball courts revitalized with Kobe murals.
"So yeah, not only in Italy but the basketball community as a whole lost a great one. but legends never die, his legacy will continue forever here and throughout the world."
