American-born Tommy hopes to give his best for Cambodia

THE Cambodiaan men’s basketballl team are a uniquee group of players.

There is limited basketball development in Cambodia as their players are mostly ba s e d in the United States and only show up once every two years to compete in the SEA Games.

Most of them, including captain Pek Mith and onetime Asean Basketball League player Sophoeun Oeun (Saigon Heat), are well into their 30s and this could be their one last push for a first SEA Games medal.

That’s why the appearance of Bostonborn Tommy Chea (pic) in the Cambodia team is like a breath of fresh air.

This is also the 20yearold’s chance to give something back to his parents’ birth country.

“I was mostly a (American) football guy growing up. But I picked up basketball when I moved to a different part of Revere in Massachusetts at seven. Everyone was playing basketball there,” said the University of Massachusetts undergraduate.

“Team captain Pek scouted me two years ago when I was a senior at high school.

“It really means a lot playing for Cambodia in the SEA Games, especially since basketball is not the most popular sport there.

“I went back to Cambodia earlier this month and was going around the courts there playing with some of the kids.

“As an Americanborn, I really want to give back to Cambodia. There’s actually more kids playing basketball in Cambodia now and they just need someone to guide them.

“It’s great playing with this group of guys. There’s a lot to learn from them and they make me become a better player too.

“My goal now is to finish college, become a teacher and hopefully play for Cambodia for as long as I can.”

The 1.83m shooting guard got his first taste of action in the SEA Games when he played 29 minutes and scored eight points in Cambodia’s 6495 loss to Singapore at the Maba Stadium yesterday.

Chea and Co did well to hold Singapore to just a 4537 lead at halftime.

The taller Singaporeans stepped up a gear after the break with 2.00m centre Delvin Goh scoring 20 points and 1.97m Russel Low topscoring with 23 points to outclass Cambodia in their Group B tie.