COLLEGE PARK — Being back on the Maryland campus Sunday reminded Terrapins standout Greivis Vasquez just how much the game of basketball has meant in his life — and how much it could again.
Vasquez, 31, has been sidelined by multiple ankle surgeries over the last three years — and has played just three games since the 2016-17 NBA season.
But his NBA career, Vasquez insists, isn’t over yet.
“It’s about doing what I love and not being able to do what I love has been tough,” said Vasquez, who hopes to latch onto a playoff-bound NBA team before this season ends. “I’m going to try to my best. … I know I can still play.”
Vasquez returned to College Park over the weekend as an honorary captain for Maryland’s game against Michigan State and to take donations for the Greivis Vasquez foundation, which gives school supplies to help children in need from his native Venezuela.
Prior to Sunday’s tip against Michigan State, Vasquez also participated in a “Legends chat” with his former coach Gary Williams, reminiscing on their four years together.
During their chat, Vasquez recalled what drew him to Maryland in the first place.
In high school, Vasquez said he was watching a Duke-Maryland game on ESPN and saw how animated Williams was on the sideline. He said, at the time, he knew nothing about college basketball, but wanted to play for Williams because of his energy.
The pairing was successful. From 2006-2010, Vasquez and the Terrapins made the NCAA tournament three times and Vasquez finished as the school’s second all-time leading scorer.
There were plenty of more highs, such as Vasquez finishing with a triple double in an upset win against North Carolina in 2009 and scoring 41 points in a double overtime win against Virginia Tech in 2010.
Vasquez’s NBA journey, however, has been more trying. Drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft, Vasquez said his first NBA coach, Lionel Hollins, went six months without speaking to him.
Vasquez bounced from team-to-team, playing for six teams in six seasons, though he eventually carved out a role as a reliable point guard. He finished the 2012-13 season leading the league in assists.
“I was taught I can overcome anything,” Vasquez said.”Being coached by Gary Williams really taught me what it takes to play at the highest level.”
Vasquez’s time away from the sport has given him a chance to expand his interests to other areas. While his foundation was formed in 2010, Vasquez has taken on a larger role recently. On Sunday, the foundation collected notebooks, pens and other school supplies as school is starting again in Venezuela.
Vasquez said he’s focused on giving back because “I came from nothing.” While he went to high school at Montrose Christian in Rockville, Vasquez said he was only discovered because of a Basketball Without Borders event in Venezuela. There, scouts presented him with the opportunity to play either overseas or come stateside and receive an education.
Now, he’s trying to do the same with other kids.
“I’m trying to help these kids realize that dreams do come true,” Vasquez said.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.