DeAndre Lansdowne shares his story on BCL Diaries
By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
After nearly giving up basketball after college, DeAndre Lansdowne had a brilliant comeback sending him to SIG Strasbourg and the Basketball Champions League.
Lansdowne, 32, shared his inspirational story on the first episode of the new Basketball Champions League series, the BCL Diaries.
The experienced goalie, born in Albuquerque, was adopted on his sixth birthday. As he explained, it was his first step towards “just have fun and enjoy life” in sports.
An agent disappeared on him after his college years at Fort Lewis. “I basically retired at that point,” he called back.
“I would say for me it was probably one of the most depressing times I’ve had,” he added describing the next period of his life, before deciding to reinvent himself, resume his career and turn professional.
Lansdowne played one season in Mexico. Moving to Europe, he spent a few years in Germany and one in Italy before joining Strasbourg in 2020. Since then, he has appeared in 26 BCL games averaging 11.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2 .2 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
“For them, looking at me and wanting me is an honor”, he mentioned head coach Lassi Tuovi and sporting director Nicola Alberani explaining the process of his recruitment in Strasbourg, “You look back at where you came from and you’re like, wow!”
Being a true team player and consistent hard work has really lifted him throughout his career, as recognized by several teammates over the years.
“He is honestly, in my opinion, the hardest worker in the team,” said Detroit-born power forward Ike Udanoh rounding out the episode, “You can always find him in the gym or in the weight room or even studying something, watching basketball. He’s a student of the game.”
Photo credit: Basketball Champions League