THE Goldfields Giants’ latest signing, American guard Matt Rosinski, says the support of family has given him the strength to overcome a personal tragedy and pursue his basketball dreams overseas.

Born and bred in Phoenix, Arizona, Rosinski signed with the Giants in November as a highly-touted college player and is due to arrive in Kalgoorlie-Boulder early next month.

In an interview with the Kalgoorlie Miner this week, the 23-year-old revealed his father was killed in a car accident when he was just three years old. “The other driver was drunk and ended up only going to jail for a minimal amount of time, because the laws in Arizona were not as strict on those incidents like they are now, ” Rosinski said.

“After this I was somewhat forced to grow up quick and take on responsibilities that many my age may not and really started creating the best relationship with my mother and one which is my best relationship in life.

“I have never been from a wealthy family. I have always and will always work for everything that I receive.

“Growing up in a lower-class environment, financially, really showed me what it means to respect those around you and to demand respect as well, which is something I cannot say that I would have learned anywhere else.

“I am proud of my roots and I am thankful I have the ability to grow and succeed although starting life with misfortune.

“The main supporters and people, beside my mother, who I have to thank are my grandfather and grandmother.

“Without the two of them I would not be who I am today and I would not know what it means to work, and I thank God every day for them.”

At 188cm, or six-foot-two in the old scale, Rosinski is a high-scoring, athletic guard who completed his final year at Regis University in Denver, Colorado last May.

Rosinski was the ninth-highest scorer in the NCAA Division 2 competition in his final season, averaging 22 points per game which was second-highest in the conference.

“I played for a coach who taught me so many things, and at times I didn’t know if I could make it another day, but I never quit and it made me a stronger player more than anything, ” he said.

“I am a strong-minded human being, but I think the things I had to play through at Regis made me a stronger player.”

Rosinski has spent his time since graduation attending numerous NBA development league tryouts.

“The D league is the farm league for the NBA and is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world, ” he said.

“There are NBA players on the floor every game who are either there because a team needs to get them more work or a player is coming off an injury.

“I tried out for the Idaho Stampede, Tulsa 66ers and New Mexico Thunderbirds which are all teams in the D league and I did well at each workout.

“I learned a tonne about the game and how things work, which is important for a rookie like myself.”

Article by Jarrod Lucas (Kalgoorlie Miner)

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