Former Wyoming East hoops star Justin Caldwell has had success on every level.
He was an all-stater at East and twice a second-team WVIAC all-conference pick.
Now he’s lighting it up for BBC Bascharage in Luxembourg.
“Basketball is going very well for me,” Caldwell said. “My team has been both up and down but are currently tied for sixth in the league but only point out of fifth.”
He is averaging 24 points and six assists per game and shoots 48 percent from the floor and 90 percent at the line, He’s also making 42 percent of his three-point attempts.
“Individually I have been playing really well,” he commented. “I’m the starting point guard.
“It’s been an adjustment moving from the shooting guard position to the point, but through a lot of film sessions and talks with our coach, I know exactly what is expected of me.”
He sees big differences in European and U.S. basketball.
“I’ve notice,d in comparing to my college experience, that guys here are more skilled, which means even if they are a center you have to guard them starting at the three-point line. They all shoot the ball very well, but they are not nearly as athletic (as U.S. players).”
Europeans play with a 24-second clock, and the three-point line is a foot farther back than at the college level.
Caldwell plays in a 10-team league with a season that runs from October to mid-April. Playoffs begin in mid-February.
Playing abroad has meant maturing as well. “The biggest adjustment in living here is basically having to do everything by myself,” he remarked. “It was a shock not having my mother here to do everything for me.
“My parents, family and friends are what what I miss the most,” Caldwell stated. “Also not being able to watch my little brother’s basketball games as well as Wyoming East. I am very close to a bunch of the guys on the team and best friends with head coach Rory Chapman.”
He expects to have some visitors from home once his team reaches the playoffs.
“The part that I enjoy the most is waking up every day with a chance to better myself and having all day to work on nothing but basketball.
“I’m very thankful to have taken this opportunity and would not change it for the world,” he said. “If I can stay healthy and keep improving, this is something I coudl see myelf doing for a long time.”






