RAWLE Marshall’s story of reaching the NBA where he played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Indian Pacers is an inspiration for anyone – not just Guyanese – having a dream of playing in one of the world’s most marketed sporting leagues. 

After a stellar college career at Oakland University, Marshall made a bold step of entering the NBA Draft in 2005 which featured the likes of Chris Paul, Derron Williams and Danny Granger but was hit with the harsh reality of making it pro when he wasn’t selected.
After going undrafted Marshall, still being highly recruited, and still following his childhood dream, he played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the Southern California Pro League and for the Mavericks at the Rocky Mountain Review. Mark Cuban felt his performance was enough and signed Marshall to Dallas Mavericks.
Marshall was eventually traded to the Indiana Pacers the following year (2006) where he started in more than 40 games.
Following the NBA, Marshall called Europe ‘home’, playing for Hemofarm (Serbia), Cibona (Croatia), Lokomative (Russia), Valencia (Spain), Asvel (France), and Paok (Greece), BC Astana (Kazakhstan) and now at the CSU Asesoft Ploiești in Romania.
However, upon accepting to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship in Tortola from July 1 to 5, it could be his biggest challenge in his playing career.
As incongruous as it might sound, Guyana’s male basketball team are yet to win the tournament which ironically originated in Guyana (1981) and Marshall is considered as the highest profile player to ever represent the Land of Many Waters.
The NBA is seen as the benchmark for professional basketball in the world and though Guyana would have produced players such as Auric Tappin, Leon Christian, Lugard Mohan, Lancelot Loncke, Remington Ram, and Shawn Semple, none has ever reached such heights as Marshall.
Guyana’s highest finish at the-then CARICOM Championship was in 1994 when the tournament was hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall – losing to Barbados in the final.
Marshall arrived in Georgetown on June 15 for the first time since leaving when he was just four years old with no recollection of life in Guyana but declared boldly his happiness to represent his country.
The CBC, he admits, is no pushover after doing lengthy research, putting his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communication to good use but added he’s ready for the challenge.
“All my life, a lot was expected of me and I have not failed to deliver. This is something I will take pride in doing because I don’t think I can truly express how happy I am to return and to play for Guyana,” Marshall told Chronicle Sport in a recent interview.
After finishing third in Barbados in 2000, lack of financing kept Guyana out of the CBC tournament until 2007 when an all-overseas-based team journeyed to Puerto Rico but the team finished last in the eight-team tournament.
2011, when the event was held in the Bahamas, Guyana sent an all-local side (with the exception of Keron McKenzie) who finished seventh place.
Under the Nigel Hinds-led Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), the 2014 tournament will see a mixture of some of Guyana’s best overseas players and their local talent, led by Marshall going for gold.
Marshall could be seen at the team’s practice, drafting plays, making sure that the team is well-oiled and working along with coach Mark Agard and the staff to come up with ways on how well they can utilise Guyana’s strength.
It would be no easy task and the CBC tournament can make or break Marshall’s legacy in Guyana since based on his wealth of experience, he will be expected to lead Guyana to victory.
Written By Rawle Toney