AMERICA | A 19-year-old basketball prodigy from the United Kingdom named Josiah Asantewa-Philip has fulfilled a lifelong dream by earning a full scholarship to study and play basketball at Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana, United States.
The scholarship covers his tuition, books, living expenses, and an apartment for two years, providing him with a life-changing opportunity.
Josiah, a Level 3 Sport student at New City College (NCC), caught the attention of scouts while competing in the prestigious European Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Reflecting on his accomplishment, Josiah described the moment as surreal.
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“It feels unreal. A lot of kids from the UK dream about this, but very few get the chance to do it. To be one of those few is such a great feeling,” he said.
When Josiah first learned of his scholarship, he felt a mix of excitement and determination. “I knew I had to stay focused and work hard,” he shared. “It feels rewarding because I know I deserve this. All the effort I’ve put into training and academics has paid off.”
Interestingly, Josiah’s journey to success Ddid not start with dreams of scholarships. When he joined NCC, he was recovering from an injury and was relatively new to basketball.
”No , originally getting a scholarship wasn’t really a goal. But when I joined New City College I saw an opportunity for myself. When I started here I was injured and fairly new to sport,” Josiah said.
”I told my coach Andre when I met him that I wasn’t good enough to play on the first team and that I wanted to play for one of the lower teams and work my way up. When I said that to him, he laughed at me and told me I had to be at the next training session,” he added.
Coach Andre, NCC’s Director of Basketball and Head Coach, played a pivotal role in Josiah’s development. “Coach Andre saw potential in me that I didn’t even know existed,” Josiah said.
“He and the other coaching staff pushed me beyond my limits, and my tutors ensured I excelled academically.” Josiah credited his tutors for helping him achieve the academic qualifications required for the scholarship.
Coach Andre spoke highly of Josiah’s prospects. “He has a bright future ahead. For most young basketball players, making it to America is a dream, and he’s getting to do it at no cost. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Andre said.
At Baton Rouge Community College, Josiah will pursue an academic associate degree while competing in the Junior College League. His schedule will include traveling to towns and cities across the eastern United States, giving him exposure to high-level competition.
As Josiah prepares for this new chapter, he remains focused on making the most of the opportunity. “This is just the beginning for me. I’m ecstatic and ready to see how far I can go,” he said.
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