For two years I’ve been following Lalia Tate’s journey as a professional overseas hooper in Thailand. In fact, this entry into the LIFE SPAN series is two years in the making. Originally written in 2022, Lalia has been steady hooping in Asia for Bangkok University, the Thai national team and in FIBA 3x3 since 2020 and not been home to revisit Falcon Park.

Lalia’s story is a reminder that there isn’t a singular path to becoming a professional hooper, as long as you’re willing to be expansive in your idea of professional. It also speaks to the determination required of people who make it to the professional level. It asks the question, “if the court was inside an oven would you still show up to train?” In this era of youth training in state-of-the-art facilities with expensive trainers, Lalia’s story proves it’s not about how much you’re willing to pay and more about the lengths you’re willing to go as an athlete, regardless of the environment, to improve your game. (Full disclosure: I would not train in an oven, even at my peak athleticism at eighteen. Lalia is way tougher than me.) Lastly, good coaches are everywhere. Find a coach who fills you with the confidence to “let it fly.”

It’s been inspiring to watch her journey, which is only beginning. Recently, she’s started an indigenous-diné owned 3x3 team and pro-training program called TBK, after her inscription house Ts’ah Bii Kin. It’s a beautiful thing to see her out in the public parks teaching the next generation of indigenous girls how to let it fly. Follow Lalia on IG at @laliat8 and Youtube.

Got a story to tell about a court that shaped your basketball life and mind? Reach out through my contact page with a pitch. Let’s keep expanding what it means to be a hooper. Let’s document the far away places throughout the world where basketball made a difference. All walks of hoopers are welcome; whether you’re a pro, ex-pro, or amateur with an indomitable love for basketball.