University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Artur Konontsuk: Life as a Movie (Translated from the Pärnu Postimees)
3/31/2020 4:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The following is a translation from the Pärnu Postimees in Estonia, Artur Konontsuk's hometown newspaper. The article, written by Märt Pilme, has been translated and left in its most-original form. The link to the story, which was behind a paywall and graciously rewarded by the author, can be found here.
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Artur Kononchuk achieved his big goal last year when he went to play basketball at a US university. Of course, it is even higher education, which is also very important for the athlete.
"I have dreamed of going to the US since I was a kid," the 19-year-old basketball player confirmed. "Every hour can come back to Estonia. But if you can, try to make a career abroad because there are better opportunities. "
Konochuk began studying at the University of Southern Mississippi, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. In a place where the climate is so pleasant that you can go out in short clothes all year round.
Artur comes from a sports family: his father, Jura, was a high-level volleyball player and played in the Estonian Champions League. The older brothers chose basketball. Bogdan was one of the most talented basketball players in Maryland and a candidate for the Estonian national team, until he collapsed during the US Student League match and left us at just 20 years old. Roman has played for several seasons in the Estonian Championship and is still up to date in the lower leagues. 2017/2018.
During the season Artur Kononchuk played basketball in the hometown of the Port of Pärnu Championship. This was followed by a successful year at the Czech Get Basketball Academy (GBA), which aims to prepare young basketball players for the US. Through the GBA, Kononchuk was able to gain access to the current university, with no other options.
So far, a two-footer and a skillful three-hitter had no regrets. "Of course, friends, family and home stayed in Estonia, but you have to sacrifice things for your future," he said.
The season went slurry
Although Konchukuk starred in the first year, his home club Southern Miss Golden Eagles did not go as expected. The U.S. Student League's NCAA Highest Division earned nine wins out of 31 games, placing it 13th in the 14 teams in the region. It was the first to miss the final tournament, which was now canceled due to coronavirus.
One of the main reasons for the season is the lack of collusion. Compared to last year, there were 11 new players in the game and two of them were lost due to poor study results.
The team's head coach, Jay Ladner, said on the university's website that it opened the door for Estonians. "Freshman (first year student, M.P.) Kononchuk played an average of 36-37 minutes per match at the end of the season, normally he would only get 10-12 minutes. He gained valuable experience in one-league league games. Threw 19 points against Gonzaga. He just came to the United States and is playing in the top division right now," Ladner was pleased with his lively contribution and expects the Estonian to take the next season.
"The season could have gone better. On the individual side, I've been doing well, considering this is my first year in the student league," said Konchukuk, who averaged 27 minutes, seven points and four rebounds in the final season with 29 games.
Due to the coronavirus, strict rules were imposed on students there in the United States. Kononchuk says the school has completely transitioned to e-learning and the students will be home by the end of the school year. The NCAA also banned training.
Excluding the spread of the coronavirus, Kononchuk speaks of life there in an eminently and excited manner. Playing in the big arenas has left an indelible experience for Estonians. Their home hall can accommodate 8,000 people. "I have played in front of 15,000 spectators in foreign matches. "There is a very special feeling and adrenaline rush to play in this arena: just when everyone makes a noise and I can't even hear my trainer, who is five meters away from me. I will never forget that feeling," said the athlete, whose dream has been to play in such large halls and play in front of a huge crowd.
Even the good sports conditions there made Kononchuk a cardboard. "The halls are big and new, the changing rooms are very chefs: everyone has their own closet. We get new sneakers every month, the training uniforms are washed ourselves, the drinking boys are there for every workout, "the basketball player said. "Rehabilitation is at an even higher level: ice baths, massagers, physiotherapists and more. If you are injured, all the necessary examinations will be done on the spot and the best possible rehabilitation will be offered to you. "
The trainings are very long: the average looks like they start with an hour in the gym, followed by three hours of ball training. "The training is much more intense and longer than in Estonia," he compared. "If there is no rain, it is very difficult. The emphasis here is on the defense game and the winning mentality."
Interested in the business world
Kononchuk has a full scholarship at the university, which means that he has free tuition, food and lodging. Kononchuk chose marketing as his specialty. "I believe this will benefit me in the future: I will be involved in business," he said, adding that he has no difficulty at school because athletes have assistant teachers to help with homework and other academic responsibilities.
The least of the compulsory subjects is music history in Pärnu County. "But there are no exceptions for athletes," said Konchukuk, whose school has 14,000 students, 500 of whom are athletes.
The current hometown of Hattiesburg is small, according to the athlete. "About as big as Pärnu. Here, of course, you can find shopping centers, cinemas, eateries and bars," said the Estonian, noting that in the United States, under 21 years of age, or underage, he has no business in bars. He spends most of his free time with his teammate exploring the restaurants and the cinema.
Lots of travel
Because of basketball, the linden has a busy schedule, but when it comes to several days off, it goes with teammates to discover other cities and universities. "I went to El Paso, a city just off the Mexican border, and saw with my own eyes a wall that holds back immigrants. In basketball, we travel very often: every two weeks, we fly to a new city to play against other universities," the hunter said.
Konochuk acknowledged that in the distant lands, home, friends and family are sometimes overwhelmed. They do not see them face to face until summer, after a nine-month break. "The coaches want me to stay at the university in the summer as well, because there are summer camps and extra courses here, but because I will be with the Estonian national team this year, it is not possible. Most of all, I miss home and family. Thinking about the food made by my mother gives me even greater desire for home," he said.
According to the athlete, he lives day by day and does not want to rush into the future. "The current plan is to get a university education while playing basketball and then look ahead," Konchukuk concluded.
--
Artur Kononchuk achieved his big goal last year when he went to play basketball at a US university. Of course, it is even higher education, which is also very important for the athlete.
"I have dreamed of going to the US since I was a kid," the 19-year-old basketball player confirmed. "Every hour can come back to Estonia. But if you can, try to make a career abroad because there are better opportunities. "
Konochuk began studying at the University of Southern Mississippi, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. In a place where the climate is so pleasant that you can go out in short clothes all year round.
Artur comes from a sports family: his father, Jura, was a high-level volleyball player and played in the Estonian Champions League. The older brothers chose basketball. Bogdan was one of the most talented basketball players in Maryland and a candidate for the Estonian national team, until he collapsed during the US Student League match and left us at just 20 years old. Roman has played for several seasons in the Estonian Championship and is still up to date in the lower leagues. 2017/2018.
During the season Artur Kononchuk played basketball in the hometown of the Port of Pärnu Championship. This was followed by a successful year at the Czech Get Basketball Academy (GBA), which aims to prepare young basketball players for the US. Through the GBA, Kononchuk was able to gain access to the current university, with no other options.
So far, a two-footer and a skillful three-hitter had no regrets. "Of course, friends, family and home stayed in Estonia, but you have to sacrifice things for your future," he said.
The season went slurry
Although Konchukuk starred in the first year, his home club Southern Miss Golden Eagles did not go as expected. The U.S. Student League's NCAA Highest Division earned nine wins out of 31 games, placing it 13th in the 14 teams in the region. It was the first to miss the final tournament, which was now canceled due to coronavirus.
One of the main reasons for the season is the lack of collusion. Compared to last year, there were 11 new players in the game and two of them were lost due to poor study results.
The team's head coach, Jay Ladner, said on the university's website that it opened the door for Estonians. "Freshman (first year student, M.P.) Kononchuk played an average of 36-37 minutes per match at the end of the season, normally he would only get 10-12 minutes. He gained valuable experience in one-league league games. Threw 19 points against Gonzaga. He just came to the United States and is playing in the top division right now," Ladner was pleased with his lively contribution and expects the Estonian to take the next season.
"The season could have gone better. On the individual side, I've been doing well, considering this is my first year in the student league," said Konchukuk, who averaged 27 minutes, seven points and four rebounds in the final season with 29 games.
Due to the coronavirus, strict rules were imposed on students there in the United States. Kononchuk says the school has completely transitioned to e-learning and the students will be home by the end of the school year. The NCAA also banned training.
Excluding the spread of the coronavirus, Kononchuk speaks of life there in an eminently and excited manner. Playing in the big arenas has left an indelible experience for Estonians. Their home hall can accommodate 8,000 people. "I have played in front of 15,000 spectators in foreign matches. "There is a very special feeling and adrenaline rush to play in this arena: just when everyone makes a noise and I can't even hear my trainer, who is five meters away from me. I will never forget that feeling," said the athlete, whose dream has been to play in such large halls and play in front of a huge crowd.
Even the good sports conditions there made Kononchuk a cardboard. "The halls are big and new, the changing rooms are very chefs: everyone has their own closet. We get new sneakers every month, the training uniforms are washed ourselves, the drinking boys are there for every workout, "the basketball player said. "Rehabilitation is at an even higher level: ice baths, massagers, physiotherapists and more. If you are injured, all the necessary examinations will be done on the spot and the best possible rehabilitation will be offered to you. "
The trainings are very long: the average looks like they start with an hour in the gym, followed by three hours of ball training. "The training is much more intense and longer than in Estonia," he compared. "If there is no rain, it is very difficult. The emphasis here is on the defense game and the winning mentality."
Interested in the business world
Kononchuk has a full scholarship at the university, which means that he has free tuition, food and lodging. Kononchuk chose marketing as his specialty. "I believe this will benefit me in the future: I will be involved in business," he said, adding that he has no difficulty at school because athletes have assistant teachers to help with homework and other academic responsibilities.
The least of the compulsory subjects is music history in Pärnu County. "But there are no exceptions for athletes," said Konchukuk, whose school has 14,000 students, 500 of whom are athletes.
The current hometown of Hattiesburg is small, according to the athlete. "About as big as Pärnu. Here, of course, you can find shopping centers, cinemas, eateries and bars," said the Estonian, noting that in the United States, under 21 years of age, or underage, he has no business in bars. He spends most of his free time with his teammate exploring the restaurants and the cinema.
Lots of travel
Because of basketball, the linden has a busy schedule, but when it comes to several days off, it goes with teammates to discover other cities and universities. "I went to El Paso, a city just off the Mexican border, and saw with my own eyes a wall that holds back immigrants. In basketball, we travel very often: every two weeks, we fly to a new city to play against other universities," the hunter said.
Konochuk acknowledged that in the distant lands, home, friends and family are sometimes overwhelmed. They do not see them face to face until summer, after a nine-month break. "The coaches want me to stay at the university in the summer as well, because there are summer camps and extra courses here, but because I will be with the Estonian national team this year, it is not possible. Most of all, I miss home and family. Thinking about the food made by my mother gives me even greater desire for home," he said.
According to the athlete, he lives day by day and does not want to rush into the future. "The current plan is to get a university education while playing basketball and then look ahead," Konchukuk concluded.
Players Mentioned
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