Young Gun Rapieque Bids Farewell to Alba Berlin for College Life in the USA
Following a span of 14 years, Rapieque departs from Alba Berlin - Alba Berlin bids farewell to Rapieque following a 14-year tenure.
Hey there! Get ready to wave goodbye to Elias Rapieque, the 21-year-old hoops sensation who's dazzled the courts of Alba Berlin for a decade. Rumors are swirling about his departure to a U.S. college, leaving both fans and teammates amazed.
From the U9 level, Elias grew to be a force to reckon with, playing in every junior team Alba Berlin had to offer. Seems like his BBL debut was just a warm-up, as he made his grand entrance in 2022 for the Berliners.
"After 14 years, I said my heartfelt goodbyes to my beloved squad. The only team I've known, and now it's time to bid adieu. It's bittersweet, but the journey—blowing my whistle, shaking hands, and giving it my all—was a beauty to behold," Rapieque shared in a heartfelt message.
Now, you might be wondering what's brought about this change. Well, JSNSports reports that Rapieque has shaken hands with Kansas State, officially committing to the college. His representative, Milan Nikolic, confirmed the news to ESPN. It looks like the allure of college recruitment initiatives has caught one of Europe's brightest talents off guard!
Don't be too surprised if Europe's basketball scene sees more and more young players taking off to the U.S. to chase their dreams. It's become more of a trend, as growing opportunities in the States are becoming increasingly enticing [3]!
Stay tuned to witness how this new chapter unfolds for the ex-Alban warrior! *Follow basketball newsLet us know if you loved the article! Keep the conversation going.
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[1] JSNSports. "Elias Rapieque Leaving Alba Berlin for Kansas State, Per Agent." January 28, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2023.[2] Eurohoops. "EuroLeague: A 27-year-old Player Set to Leave, Potentially Impacting Team's Lineup." February 1, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2023.[3] BBC Sport. "Why European Basketball Players are Leaving for U.S." December 15, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2023.[4] ESPN. "European Prospect Elias Rapieque Commits to Kansas State." February 1, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2023.
- Elias Rapieque's decision to join Kansas State could signal a growing trend of European basketball players migrating to U.S. colleges, as the allure of recruitment initiatives offers increasingly enticing opportunities.
- Despite his departure from Alba Berlin for college life in the USA, Rapieque's impact on community and employment policies, both on and off the court, will remain evident.
