Argentina's Aaliya set to play for native land; Ghana

Posted : 26 June 2023

Lee Aaliya, a basketball enthusiast, looks up to numerous role models in the sport. Surprisingly, one of his biggest idols is not a basketball player but a professional wrestler hailing from Ghana, whom he affectionately calls dad.

Lee recalls his father's fame between 2008 and 2011, and even today, people still want to take pictures with him when he walks down the street. Growing up, Lee watched his father on TV and attended wrestling matches when he wasn't idolizing basketball stars like Shaquille O'Neal and former Argentina player Walter Herrmann.

As Aaliya's father remains active in wrestling, having created the Lucha Extrema series in 2012, he continues to appear on television. Lee himself dabbled in wrestling as a child for a few years but eventually decided it wasn't his calling when he started school. Nonetheless, he still enjoys watching the sport.

Lee's focus shifted to becoming a better basketball player, a pursuit he has excelled in. He began playing the game at the age of 3 and grew up playing for the Sudamerica club. In 2018, he joined Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata before transferring to Atenas Cordoba this season.

Lee has already represented Argentina twice in international competitions. He contributed to Argentina's second-place finish at the FIBA U18 South American Championship in 2018, averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.

In the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022, he helped Argentina reach the semifinals, recording 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. In the same year, Lee was invited to the Argentina senior national team training camp for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers in February.

His time at the training camp was a memorable experience, surrounded by great teammates who provided support and guidance. Though he didn't make the final roster for the games, Lee cherishes the opportunity he was given.

Currently participating in his first global competition in Hungary, Lee represents Argentina on the court while also carrying a part of his father's homeland, Ghana, within him. He recently visited Ghana for the first time in January and February, reconnecting with his extended family. The experience was deeply meaningful, especially as Lee practices Islam and observes fasting during Ramadan.

Lee admires the journey his father embarked upon when he was just a couple of years younger than Lee is now. Leaving Ghana at the age of 16 with friends, his father sought new opportunities. He initially traveled to Europe and eventually settled in Argentina, where he met Lee's mother and decided to stay.

This connection to Ghana is why Lee feels he is playing for both Argentina and Ghana. While he was born in Argentina and feels grateful to represent the country, he also recognizes his Ghanaian heritage.

Whenever Lee seeks inspiration, he looks no further than his father, the renowned wrestler from Ghana.

Argentina's Aaliya set to play for native land; Ghana

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