Donovan Rakotonanahary, the only Division I basketball player from Madagascar, has traveled nearly 9,000 miles to pursue his dream of playing basketball in the United States.
From Madagascar to NKU
Rakotonanahary grew up watching his father play soccer for the Madagascar National Team and initially thought he would follow in his footsteps. However, his plans changed when a basketball stadium was built right outside his bedroom window.
Rakotonanahary taught himself basketball and challenged the best players in Madagascar. He eventually joined an organized team and quickly advanced, playing with older age groups. By the time he was 16, he faced a life-changing decision to leave his family and travel to the United States to join Oak Hill Academy in Virginia.
The move led him to Northern Kentucky University, where he became the only Division I basketball player from Madagascar. Rakotonanahary sees his family only once or twice a year, but his visits home remind him of the impact he’s making.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
