Two years ago, Tyheim Monroe was just starting his senior season at Cabrini. Fast forward and now he is getting ready to play professional basketball in Brazil. The transition process from a senior in college to a professional basketball player in a place you have never been before is a huge step in someone’s life.
Monroe graduated from Cabrini in 2017 and didn’t know where life was going to lead him, but he knew that he wanted basketball to remain in his life. Cabrini gave Monroe a chance to showcase his skills while making him a better person off the court.
“I think I became more humbled as a person, I am more appreciative of the blessings I have versus focusing on the negatives in life,” Monroe said.
There have been multiple NBA players that have played overseas before starting their career in the U.S. Monroe knows what doors this opportunity could open up years down the road.
Monroe has always been a great leader at Cabrini, and he plans to implement that leadership trait when he goes to Brazil. A good teammate always has his players back, as well as leads verbally and by example.
Monroe’s attitude towards the game is contagious and that type of attitude is what landed him in Brazil. Mike Doyle, a former teammate of Monroe’s at Cabrini, described Monroe as a “guy that just wants to win basketball games.”
“Tyheim was probably one of the best teammates I have ever had. He made everything so much easier for everyone else on the court,” Doyle said.
It is difficult to comprehend how hard Monroe has worked for this opportunity, and he is determined to make the most of this. Monroe wants to make his mark for those to follow in his footsteps one day.
“The most important take is I feel like I’m giving hope to those playing Division III sports. Many people take Division III sports as a joke not knowing there’s a lot of talent there,” Monroe said.
Regardless of what division you play or league you may be in, hard-work and effort doesn’t have a division. That is where Monroe sets himself apart from Division I athletes. No one expected him to go to college and finish as the leading scorer and rebounder in Cabrini’s history while racking up numerous accolades along the journey. No one expected him to get a contract to play professional basketball in Brazil.
The probability of playing men’s basketball at a Division III school is 1.4 percent. The odds have always been stacked against Monroe his whole life. The probability of playing professional men’s basketball out of college is 1.2 percent. Monroe didn’t let these numbers get in the way of his dream.
“It’s a dream come true, I have been dreaming of playing professional basketball my whole life,” Monroe said.
There are 6,717 American basketball players that are overseas playing in various countries. Out of those 6,717 Americans, only 77 players play professional basketball in Brazil. Monroe will join the Brazilian basketball team UniFacisa, who are currently 4-6 in their last game and could use Monroe’s ability to score tough baskets in the paint.
The mindset of Monroe going into a new team, country and culture could be a lot to take in for a 22 year-old.
“My biggest challenge would be adapting to the culture and communication with others,” Monroe said.
Brazil’s culture is very different from the American culture he is accustomed to. Along with the culture change, Monroe is determined to earn the respect of his teammates, as well as people he will encounter in the streets.
“Earning the respect as a person and player in another country might be a little difficult at first,” Monroe said.
Monroe wants to give hope to those who could one day follow in his footsteps. He wants to pave the way for children growing up in Philadelphia with the same dream he had when he was a child.
“Growing up in Philly, I want to give these younger guys hope,” Monroe said. “They need to know it is possible to be a professional athlete and there are more opportunities outside the neighborhood.
