Why international basketball players come to Topeka in hopes of playing D-I in college

TOPEKA — Kerry Darting looked across the basketball court with immense pride on Thursday.

For the past several weeks, high schoolers from around the globe flocked to the Kansas capital to enhance their skills.

It’s a new program created by Darting and his colleague Igor Vrzina. The two friends worked together as assistant coaches for Illinois State 15 years ago. Vrzina, a native of Serbia, used many of his international contacts to help bring players from across the globe to Topeka.

Twelve different countries including China, Serbia, Brazil and Dubai make up the group that has been staying in Washburn University’s dormitories. For Darting, he has been giving back to Topeka for almost his entire life through the game.

In this initiative, he’s showing off his hometown.

“It’s pretty unique and we look around and there isn’t many people doing this,” Darting said. “The Topeka basketball culture is what I am interested in and it’s really cool for us to do that. The goal down the road is to help the basketball community in Topeka and I think this is a great way to do it.”

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The international players were able to celebrate a true American holiday, Independence Day. Darting and the players spent the Fourth of July at Lake Shawnee with the fireworks show being a highlight.

“I couldn’t really sleep,” Bior Duoot laughed.

Duoot hails from Canberra, Australia and has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Topeka. Darting shared that there is a ‘group that wants to play college basketball’ and Duoot fits the bill. The 6-foot-7 forward came to Darting’s camp with hopes of being seen by college coaches.

Not only are the international players practicing in Topeka, but they will be traveling to play AAU games, too. Their first tournament saw them play in Kansas City. They finished their latest tournament in Denver last weekend. The group will depart for their home countries next Monday after playing in their final tournament in Dallas. This is where the players can secure college looks.

Last weekend, Duoot delivered a rim-rocking play where he drove baseline and dunked the ball over the opposing defenders. With this camp, Duoot’s play is now being seen by college coaches as he tries to achieve his dream.

“There is not much exposure back at home. Hopefully, I will get the looks that will help me find a school,” Duoot said.

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On the opposite side of the world, Shalva Meunargia is hoping to accomplish the same dream as Duoot. The guard from Georgia shared that this time in Topeka has only motivated him to try and become a better basketball player.

“My main goal is to represent my country and to play basketball for Georgia’s national team, it’s my main goal,” Meunargia said. “To play there, I have to be a professional player and that means I want to play in college. My goal is to play Division I basketball and get to scholarship so let’s see how it goes.”

Meunargia, who is 6-foot-4, expressed how much he is learning from how other countries play the sport. The drills and constant competitions that Darting has set up have allowed each of them to showcase their skills while learning from their teammates.

“In every country, there is different types of basketball. It’s great experience to study their playing style. It’s a great opportunity in my life,” Meunargia said. “For example, we have guys from Australia and they have a really different style. They play more skilled basketball and very developed.”

While international players practiced on the court, RJ Mock was on the side of the gym practicing his ball-handling skills. The Topeka native was soaking up the crazy experience. Mock is a 12-year-old who attends Shawnee Heights Middle School and is learning how to play the game from players across all corners of the globe.

“It’s nice getting to know other people,” he said.

Getting to know other people is at the heart of Darting’s camp. Some players have already received Junior College and prep school offers, but Darting hopes to bring many people together to make life-long friendships with the sport being a common denominator.

“The first couple of days, none of them knew each other. Just in a couple of days, they all love each other and they are with each other,” Darting said. “The game of basketball brings them all together. They all have something in common.”

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com