In one year, the game of basketball literally made a world of difference in the life of former University of Denver basketball point guard Rodney Billups.
Billups arrived in Europe late last August from Denver to prepare for his first season of professional basketball with BK Riga, a team based in Riga, Latvia.
“There were several different offers from teams. But this team showed the most interest, so I decided to start my professional career here,” said Billups.
Billups caught the eyes of BK Riga after competing for the Detroit Pistons in the 2005 NBA Vegas Summer League. Billups competed against the likes of current NBA standout Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.
“It was really challenging for me to get out there with guys of that caliber and play the way I did,” said Billups.
At this time last season, the then senior Billups had just finished leading the Pioneers to an SBC West Division Title and an eventual berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
His prosperous career as a Pioneer culminated in a first round loss in the NIT to San Francisco, but what is an end for many collegiate players was only the beginning for Billups.
“Not many people from Park Hill have the opportunity to play professional basketball,” said Billups. “I feel this is an honor, and I am doing everything I can to represent my friends, family and my DU hoop squad.”
In 16 games with BK Riga, Billups is averaging 10.9 points per game and seven assists per game.
He is shooting 55 percent from the floor and 76 percent from the free throw line.
His breakout game came against I.O.S./Jurmala last November when he erupted for 33 points in 31 minutes. Billups shot 14-16 from the floor and 2-3 from beyond the arc.
“Honestly, I haven’t played against any point guard that I can say was better than me,” said Billups. “Last year there were many guards that challenged that statement. Here I feel like I am two steps ahead of my competition.”
Billups performance on the court landed him a roster spot in the Latvian Basketball League All-Star game.
It allowed him to share a basketball first with his brother and 2004 NBA Champion Chauncey Billups, who represented the Detroit Pistons in his first invite to the NBA All-Star game this year in Houston.
“It is kind of nice to have made it to my first all-star game during the same year as he did it,” said Billups. “Of course he did it on a higher scale, but I will definitely make mine just as special.”
Through its first 27 games, BK Riga is undefeated and in first place of the Latvian Basketball League.
“Here in Europe the talent level isn’t as strong. For example, in Division I basketball every team is good. Where I am playing, we are the only good team,” said Billups.
Billups has had to make mental adjustments on the practice court, where he is used to preparing for each opponent based on the unique style of basketball it plays.
“In Riga, it is completely different,” said Billups. “Our practices are all repetitive. We do the same thing everyday, no matter the opponent, the day or the environment.”
While it has been business as usual for the most part in the gym, adapting to a new lifestyle off the court posed the greatest challenge to Billups.
“At first I struggled with the different culture. I wasn’t comfortable with the Eastern Europe culture. Maybe I still haven’t adjusted, but I’m more expecting of it,” said Billups.
With a translator for basketball, the language barrier is only an issue for Billups when he is out in the city. But initially, even that wasn’t a problem.
“During the first couple of months I didn’t do much,” said Billups. “I didn’t even want to leave my apartment. But now I go to dinner with teammates. They have a movie theater that is Americanized, so I tend to go there sometimes.”
Any similarities to home are a welcome sight for Billups, who returned to the United States only during Thanksgiving to visit family, friends and his girlfriend.
But it is a trip home for good and a career in the NBA that Billups has his eyes set on.
“There have been a couple of NBA scouts at some of our games, but none of this involves me coming back to play this season,” said Billups.
He added, “I have talked with my agent and it looks like I will be playing in the NBA Summer League again. Let’s just hope that I get invited to next season’s pre-season camp.”
Until then, Billups will continue to make the most of his opportunity in Europe.
After its game last Sunday against Barons/Ridzene, BK Riga has eight regular season games left.
“Not only do I want to become a better person, but also I want to build up a nice basketball resume and hopefully make it to the NBA one day,” said Billups.
He added, “In this profession, you don’t know where you will be going past your current contract. Every basketball player dreams of playing for money and I am doing it. Maybe not for the big bucks, but eventually I will make comfortable money.”
And amidst all of the traveling, practicing and playing, Billups keeps a close eye on his former Pioneer teammates.
“Tone, T, Yem, and Drew. Y’all hold me down until I get back. I know it ain’t the same without the kid, but I’m going to be home before you know it,” said Billups.
