I struggled so much in my life and journey to become a professional basketball player.

Where it all Started – at the age of 9 at my Parents Grocery Story – learning from the insane, 16 hour a day back breaking hard work that both my Mom and Dad put in everyday for 15 years to provide a better life for my 2 younger brothers and me. They are my ultimate heroes and without them I would not have been able to achieve all that I have in my life.

Then learning how to play basketball from my childhood friend, Eddie Castellanos quickly after getting introduced to my lifelong mentor, Coach and friend, Mike Mincey at the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club where I played basketball religiously for 5 hours a day, everyday from age 9 to Age 16 when I entered High School at St. Peter’s Prep. then AAU in Jersey City, New York, etc.

Shooting at night all by myself, looking in the sky asking God when will my dream of playing Professional Basketball come true? or if it will ever come true? Am I working this hard for nothing. Will all my hardwork, blood, sweat and tears I put in to the game payoff?

Then going on to High School and having a good career at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City.

Getting recruited to Play at Montclair State University but turning it down to pursue my dreams of playing Division 1 at Rutgers University but not being chosen.

Invited into training camp in my Junior Year of College with Division 3 College team – Rutgers Newark but then getting cut feeling like my dream was over.

But then falling more in love with the game, working out on my own everyday for 8 years from freshman year of college to 2015 – my first year of Professional Basketball.

Playing any and everywhere – outdoor, indoor, dirt roads, in the snow, in the rain.

Intramurals, Philipino leagues, having my mom and cousin tape my games just dreaming, wishing, hoping, praying and grinding to get my chance to play Pro ball.

Crying myself to sleep because I had not achieved my dream of playing professional basketball. Then finally being fed up with my life and saying enough is enough. I’m going to make it as a Professional Basketball player no matter what. I’m going to make it or die trying.

Fast forward to the Summer of 2013 I skipped a crucial quarterfinal playoff game for my Annual Nepalese Association (ANA) Basketball tournament to go tryout at the Blacktop Pro Showcase at St. Francais College in Brooklyn. My teammates were pissed and so was my girlfriend at the time for leaving them to go to this Pro tryout. But I said fuck it going after my dreams is way more important than some Annual Asian Tournament.

Getting Drafted to play on 2 Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in New York – but not getting any Overseas offers.

Getting chosen to play on a Professional Basketball Tour to play in Ireland but then at the last minute being told that I needed a Visa from the Ireland Embassy to fly to Ireland. I was crushed and literally broke down on the floor crying on my kitchen floor because I had lost my chance of getting a contract to play professionally overseas.

Then fate stepping in where I met a good friend, Brandon Santiago who laid out a plan for me to make it Pro. His plan was simple: Go to Las Vegas and attend 2 Professional Camps – EuroBasket Summer League Camp and Bridgewater Academy getting selected to Top 20 All-Star Team

Getting my first Agent. Trying out for a contract to Play Professionally in Mongolia

Being told I will be playing Professionally in Mongolia and finally today playing Professional Basketball.

I’m living proof that dreams do come true. As long as you keep dreaming, believing, working hard, and never give up. The only way for you to fail is if you give up.

Here’s what my friend Michael Aquilina said on Facebook about my accomplishment of playing Pro ball:

As the late Jim Valvano said during his fight against Cancer, “Don’t Give up, don’t ever give up.”

I believe in you.

-Sonam