Meet Manyiel Wugol | Professional Basketball Player and Head of African Development at Athlete Empowerment Initiative .
We had the good fortune of connecting with Manyiel Wugol and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Manyiel, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Hardwork, determination and most importantly perseverance. As someone who picked up the basketball at very late age, a few weeks before my 17th birthday. To get to where I’m at today as a professional basketball player to a relentless pursuit and perseverance through times that looked like it wasn’t going to work out for me.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a professional basketball player. I was born in a refugee camp after my family fled the war in my native country South Sudan. We were granted a humanitarian visa to Australia and settled in Perth in 2002. I started playing basketball really late at 16, through extreme hard work just about 18 months later I was given a scholarship to go to America for pursue my dreams at 18 years old. I went through a journey of ups and downs while in America, started my college career at a Junior College in Iowa, south western community college. Did 2 years there then transferred to Long Beach state, wasnt eligible there so I transferred to an NAIA in Miami called Florida National where I finished out my career. Just this year I started my professional career in the Australia in the NBL1. Just recently I was appointed head of African division for a non-profit organization called Athlete Empowerment initiative. We are currently doing a shoe drive where we are raising 100 shoes, 100 basketballs and merch to send over to a basketball academy in South Sudan. how I overcame my challenges is keeping my faith in god, working hard and being a good person. I think those 3 things are key. What I want people to know about my brand is that when you have a purpose and combine that with perseverance and hard work you can achieve anything.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Jamaica House Restaurant is my favorite food spot in the city to go eat, order the Jerk Chicken with beans and rice & extra jerk sauce. My favorite spot to be at is Detail Miami, it’s the best gym for basketball players and has a great family environment. I also love going down to South Beach and enjoy the sun and scenery.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Coleman Ayers, founder of By Any means basketball, founder of Athlete Empowerment Initiative and owner of Detail Miami Gym.
Cameron Wells, head of Content at By any means basketball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwugol/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manyiel-wugol-313196221
Twitter: https://twitter.com/manyielwugol
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialManyielWugol
Other: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manyiel_Wugol
Image Credits
Cam Shot it Jon Gellweiler
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