It was after Jarrod West graduated with his master’s degree from the University of Louisville that he had a decision to make. The paths were spawned from the same seed, but its roots went in vastly different directions.

 

One path was secure. There were offers on the table. And it was something he was certain he could do. Perhaps even better, it was something he could turn into a lifelong career.

 

The second path was not so secure. The time frame to do it was limited. It could not be a lifelong career. And for a young man so entrenched in family and friends and their importance, it was going to take him thousands of miles and oceans away.

 

There was one thing Jarrod West told me a few years ago. The second path would soon be gone, and the first one would still be able to be traveled.

 

Jarrod West took path two. For anyone who does not know, Jarrod West is a 2017 graduate and state champion basketball player from Notre Dame High School. He then went to Marshall where he helped lead the Thundering Herd to a rare NCAA Tournament berth and earn the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win before graduating in 2021.

 

West then signed for his final year – the extra COVID year – with Louisville, one of the most storied programs in NCAA history.

 

When his collegiate playing days were done, his love for competition was not. West’s high basketball IQ, partially molded by being a coach’s son, translated extremely well to the coaching profession, and it was not lost on those in the industry. He had offers.

 

He also could not shake the competitive drive of in-game competition. West knew the NBA was likely not an option, but he knew international ball was. Again, there were offers.

 

Since leaving Louisville, West has become an international basketball world traveler. Stop one was in New Zealand and stop two – the only unsuccessful one of the tour – was in China where what some would consider an overboard COVID quarantine approach drove him back stateside.

 

From China, he headed to Europe. He has competed in Germany and Greece, and most recently, Bosnia. He played for Borac Banja Luka part of the Bosnian Domestic League and Adriatic League’s second division this past season.

 

“I was the only American on the team after the other player was hurt and went home. There is no limit on how many Americans you can have. In Germany and Greece, I played with six or seven Americans,” said West.

 

As for the most recent brand of international play, West said it was “a pretty good league, but not great. It’s definitely solid.” West said there are plenty of former Division I men’s basketball players as well as some top-level Division II players along with locals. He said many of the locals have previously played in some of the highest leagues in Europe.

 

Regardless of the level of competition, West, as he always seems to do, stood out. The team made it to the finals of the league championship but fell 2-0. To get there, the top six teams in the league played one another twice – a 10-game tournament with the top two teams advancing.

 

To say West did well would be an understatement. He ended up earning the most valuable player honor awarded in the six-team postseason tournament that was essentially the finishing point for a 10-month season that runs from September and into June.

 

West said the competition was enjoyable, outside of the sting of coming up short in the championship. He also said Banja Luka treated him well.

 

“It’s a small, really nice city with a smalltown vibe … It had everything I needed, and everything was close by,” said West. “There’s a big city center with restaurants, hotels, clothing stores, a church in the middle and a coffee shop. It’s what you would see in a lot of big American cities, but on a smaller scale.”

 

West said he found favorite restaurants and coffee shops. He met people who spoke good English and said he was welcomed by the community.

 

“The community, my teammates, and my coaches were good to me. It was a good experience,” said West.

 

It was a good enough experience that he’s staying on the international basketball path later this year. He’ll be headed back to Bosnia and competing in the same league, but in a different city and with a different team.

 

The team is Bosna Sarajevo. As the name suggests, the team plays in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia.

 

“I have to be there August 8 so I’ll be leaving August 6 or 7. There is the possibility I won’t be home again until June of next year, but I might get a few days to come home around Christmas and New Years,” said West, who did manage a four-day visit during the Christmas break this past season

 

Even with his love for the game and still having opportunities, leaving that first week of August will be not be easy.

 

“Being away from everyone, particularly my family, is the most difficult part of all of this. Some days you get lonely; you have hard days,” said West. “The time difference makes it a little more challenging as well, but I know they’re always there for me.”

 

So, how much longer will West continue his overseas play?

 

“Right now, I still have that itch. I’m in that playing mindset. My body feels good, and the game feels good. On top of that, I’m enjoying it,” said West. “We’ll see how it goes for next 2-3 years to see where it’s trending barring any serious injury.”

 

And what happens when he is finished with international basketball?

 

“I still want to get into coaching. That’s my plan,” he continued. “I hope to get an opportunity when I’m done.”

 

For those who would still like to see West compete, the chance is coming this week. He is competing for Herd That, consisting primarily of Marshall Alumni, in the TBT (The Basketball Tournament) event as the number one seed in the Lexington Regional.

 

The team’s first game is in Lexington, July 19 – this Friday. He will be in Lexington to begin practice tomorrow, July 15. Last year, Herd That fell in the semifinals, just one game short of playing for the $1 million winner take all prize for the winning team.

 

It is obvious West’s love for the game and competition still burns strong. About the only thing stronger is his love for his father Jarrod, mother Amber, brother Jaidyn, and an army of friends and extended family.

 

“I’m so grateful for my family for supporting me and encouraging me to do these types of things. I’m so grateful for my close friends who support me and keep in touch when I’m away,” said West, who has also found time to work camps this summer. “I’m thankful for all of it and hope to keep being able to go as long as I stay competitive.”

 

That recent MVP says he is competitive. Heading back again, as well as playing for Herd That, says it too.

 

Here’s hoping Jarrod finds continued success. He deserves it. Jarrod West is one of the finest young men I know, and I am certain others feel the same way.

 

Editor's Note: All photos courtesy of Jarrod West with action photos from this past season in Bosnia. Third photo shows him receiving his top player, or MVP, award for the end-of-season tournament, while the next to last photo is Jarrod with his brother Jaidyn, far left, mother Amber and father Jarrod, Bottom photo shows him working a basketball camp.