The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
A Homecoming for Shaquille Cleare
11.25.2015 | Men's Basketball
Junior forward and Bahamas native shares his thoughts on the opportunity to return to his home country and play in front of family and friends.
Junior forward Shaquille Cleare
I take a lot of pride in my country. When people say The Bahamas to me, it's a magical place. First, this is home for me. It's a country that I'm representing at the highest level possible. This country is on my back as well as other Bahamian athletes who are competing in the United States.
Most of my memories from growing up here involve my family and friends. I spent most of my life around them, but I had to go to the United States to take care of business with school. When I do come back here now, I'm a huge family person. Family is more important to me than anything when I come home.
Seeing my family today and this week is very meaningful. I don't think they've really been behind-the-scenes with me before. They've only seen me on TV or read articles about me. They got a great chance today (at Tuesday's press conference) to see me in person and to understand more of what the other part of this basketball life is like. I think my mom (Agatha) and brother (Isheiko) really appreciated the opportunity to come see me in action today.
It's an honor and a privilege for me to be back here in the Bahamas and to represent my home country this week. I'm not taking this experience for granted. A lot of people are here supporting me, and they just want to see that I'm trying very hard and working very hard to be successful. I need to continue to stay positive and encourage others here behind me to do the same.
