From the Bench: A Growing Global Basketball Journey Whose Foundation is Rooted Firmly, Deeply in Family
By Jeff Toquinto on August 09, 2026 from Sports Blog
When Jarrod West wrapped up his collegiate basketball career from Marshall University in 2021 and then a one-year stint at Louisville in 2022, there was a very real possibility his playing days were over.
The former Harrison County resident who lived briefly in Bridgeport left Louisville with a couple of options in front of him. The sure thing, 
the one that would likely produce a long-term career, was in coaching as options were available to him.
the one that would likely produce a long-term career, was in coaching as options were available to him.
The second? That would be to continue his basketball career as a player. To do that, he knew he would have to head overseas and into an environment far from guaranteed, and thousands of miles away from family and friends.
Coaching he knew he could come back to. Playing the game that he loved would likely end if he took even a one-year hiatus. And if he did not like it, the aforementioned ability to get into coaching would be there if he went and played basketball in another country for a year.
The decision, over four years ago, was to play hoops. It was on a trial period.
The trial period is over. From late 2022 until 2026, the 2017 Notre Dame High School graduate has done a bit of a global tour. He is now officially an international veteran and looks forward to playing several more years.
This year is an entirely new adventure. Earlier this week he departed for France where he will be playing for Cholet Basket in Cholet, France, in the LNB Élite (Pro A) League inside the La Meilleraie Arena that holds 5,200 spectators.
Before talking about his present, a bit of a rewind to the past and the path that got him here. It is a path with many miles and one he does not take for granted.
West began in New Zealand. There was a brief stint in China. That was followed by short appearances in Germany and Greece before he ended up in Bosnia. It all helped a young man fresh from the hills of West Virginia get seasoned on the global stage. West admits that it was not easy.
“I was kind of stressed out to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, starting out in New Zealand was a lot of fun because it was a great place, but it was hard on me being away from family, being away from my friends,” said West.
He also admitted that bouncing around frequently in those first few years was a bit more than he had hoped for. He found some stability when he started in Bosnia and stayed for three years. The first year he was in Banja Luka, and then he competed in Sarajevo for the last 
two years.
two years.
Each stop, each destination was a step up in competition. And he has found success at every single one of those stops.
Before returning to Europe earlier this week after several weeks stateside, West competed for KK Bosna BH Telecom. The team finished in the quarterfinals of the ABA (Adriatic Basketball Association) League that features teams from the former Yugoslavia. As for the Bosnian League, West’s team won the championship.
Once again, he put up numbers as the point guard. He averaged 11 points, five assists and 1.5 steals per game. The numbers, and the results, were good enough to get the call to play at a higher level league in France.
“I’ll be playing first division France, the Champions League, which is a bump in the level of play,” said West.
West said several Americans are on the roster, five including himself. Among the Americans is former Louisville teammate Noah Locke.
“Him being there makes this more comfortable. He called me when Cholet called and recruited me there since he was signed,” said West. “That is a bonus. Every stop I’ve made has been positive. On the basketball side, there are no regrets.”
That statement comes as no surprise. The son of Jarrod West, the former West Virginia University standout, has basketball blood in his veins. And as noted above, if not playing he would likely be coaching.
“I’m so happy that I’m playing right now. I’m so grateful that I’m still playing because I’m enjoying it five years in. I’m making good money,
I’m seeing the world, I’m healthy, and I’m still getting better. I feel like I’m in my prime right now,” said West, who is 27. “I’ve been blessed to have this opportunity.”
I’m seeing the world, I’m healthy, and I’m still getting better. I feel like I’m in my prime right now,” said West, who is 27. “I’ve been blessed to have this opportunity.”
West said he plans to play into his 30s. He was not sure if he would go past his mid-30s or late-30s.
“You never know. My mindset is to play the next to three to five years and see how it goes,” said West. “This situation is almost perfect.”
There is one thing that would make it perfect. But is the one thing his situation (and the situation for most Americans playing overseas) creates.
“If my family was here, man that would make it perfect,” said West. “It is the part you sacrifice and that’s hard.”
His mother, Amber, has made the trip to Bosnia twice in the last two years. Dad Jarrod and brother Jaidyn made a trip across the Atlantic two years ago as well.
“It was so cool to have family here. For them to see me play, sit in the front row, and just enjoy themselves was such a great experience,” said West. “Trust me, I didn’t take a second of their time here for granted. I think they’re all going to try and visit me while I’m in France. I know mom will for sure.
The visits, or even the possibility, help ease the sting of missing home as West is gone usually nine to 10 months yearly.
“I don’t really get homesick, but I find myself thinking about family, friends, and loved ones a lot. I guess when you really feel it is during the holidays because that’s when you realize you haven’t been around them in a while,” West said. “Whether that’s a regret, I’m not sure. I know it’s one of the hardest parts.”
That, of course, makes his annual visits home better. This past year, along with time in West Virginia, he spent time with his father’s side of the family in Dallas.
“When you talk about not taking time for granted, when you see your grandparents, your aunts, your cousins you rarely get to see, that’s when you really soak in the time. That was a great trip,” he said.
While he was talking about things he missed, pondering regrets, West came back to one thing that bothered him. And that is the inability to be at his brother Jaidyn’s games in person whether it was in the past at Fairmont State or for the upcoming year at Glenville State.
“That’s maybe the biggest thing. I wish I could be there to watch him up close. I watch all the games on the computer and stay up to whatever time I need to, to watch it, but I wish I were there,” said West.
The bond between the brothers, he said, runs deep. The miles between them have not changed that.
“We have an incredibly good relationship. We talk four or five times a week, we Facetime; we’re always in touch,” said West. “Looking 
back at my time away, I wish I would have had more time to watch him play. I’m going to be watching on the computer again and he’s got a fresh start at Glenville and has had a great summer. I can’t wait to see him play.”
back at my time away, I wish I would have had more time to watch him play. I’m going to be watching on the computer again and he’s got a fresh start at Glenville and has had a great summer. I can’t wait to see him play.”
Although West happily responds to questions about his basketball career, his answers are longer and filled with noticeable joy when asked about family. He said it is why he can manage being away, and the same reason he felt the confidence to take on this journey.
“Having that love, the support system, the backing, yeah, that is what makes it work, and I’m thankful for it. It may seem hard to do this, but my mom and dad always pushed Jaidyn and I to go for whatever we wanted. There were messages of not holding yourself back and to fight for what you are after,” West said. “That’s the mindset they instilled in their two kids from the time we were little to today.
“I’m thankful for the ability to play, for sure. It’s a blessing,” he continued. “The real blessing, what makes it all work, is that family. I’ll never take them for granted.”
Editor's Note: First five photos show Jarrod West in action in Bosnia, while the bottom photo is from his recent trip home after enjoying a night out with his family. Shown, in the bottom image from left, mom Amber, brother Jaidyn, Jarrod, and dad Jarrod. Action photos courtesy of Jarrod West, family photo courtesy of Amber West.
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