Throughout the fall, umterps.com will be featuring a different men's basketball player (or players) each week leading up the start of the 2019-20 campaign. Be sure to follow along with additional player-specific content on Maryland basketball's social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more on each player. Today's featured player is Chol Marial from Rumbek, South Sudan. Here's five burning questions with Aaron!
What do you miss most about South Sudan?
"I miss my brothers, my sisters and all of my friends. I also really miss the traditional Sudanese foods. It's just different back home. America is much more modernized than Sudan."
Did you play any other sports besides basketball growing up?
"I actually only started playing basketball at the age of 12. I love playing soccer – all my friends played growing up and I've played all my life. I played up top as a striker and I was nasty! I was taller than everyone so I could win every head ball."
What are the advantages and disadvantages in life to being 7'2"?
The advantages are:
- Basketball
- I am very easy to find in a crowd
- I can reach things that others cannot
The disadvantages are:
- It's hard to get clothes I want because they don't fit
- It can get annoying when people are staring or telling me I'm tall
- Beds and showers!
What drives you every day?
"My family for sure. I realize the great opportunity I have here at Maryland and I'm grateful to be given the chance. I've come a long way from South Sudan and Maryland can help me reach my dreams. My family has a hard life back home and I want them to have a better life. I want to help them and make them proud. There are so many kids back home looking up to me."
Is there anyone from South Sudan you look up to as a role model?
"Definitely Luol Deng (2x NBA All-Star). I talk to him all the time and he is a great mentor for me. He's been through what I am going through. He is a great man."
