Former Arizona basketball player Kyle Fogg has a message for Wildcat fans.
“The support I’ve received from fans have been countless from Arizona fans, how they are proud of me,” he said in a telephone interview with AllsportsTucson.com. “It’s been huge. I could not have gone to a better school. The people have been so proud of me and I’m trying to make them proud by representing Arizona the right way.”
Former Arizona standout Kyle Fogg (second from right) celebrates with his Overseas Elite teammates (ESPN screen shot)
Indeed he has. Earlier this week, Fogg was named the MVP of The Basketball Tournament after helping lead Overseas Elite to its third consecutive winner-take-all tournament title. His share was $147,000 of the $2 million prize.
He had 29 points in the 86-83 win.
“I feel blessed,” he said. “I’m thankful for the opportunities.”
What he learned early – particularly after leaving UA – that success comes when you give back. Over the last few years, he’s helped build schools with some of his earnings. So far, it’s been three.
“Before I started worried about making money, I tried to sponsor a kid or helped build schools and (he found) the more you give it all comes back,” he said. “And, you help people in the meantime.”
It’s been a nice and comfortable career for Fogg since leaving UA in 2012. Earlier this summer he announced he was signed by the Guangzhou Long Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. It’s for a reported $2 million. All that after playing in the NBDL right after college and a number of teams overseas.
“My dream was to get into the NBA but when it didn’t work out I ended up overseas,” he said. “I didn’t think it would go this way but I kept having the faith hoping something would happen.”
And it has in a big way.
“I got a lot better along the way,” he said.
And the advice he’d give to those in his sneakers?
“If you love it, you just keep working it and God will take care of you,” he said. “Work hard and help others. Even though you are not in the NBA you can still accomplish your goals.”
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