Romario Ponce is Keiser University’s basketball star! He started playing basketball since he was eight years old, and by the time he was thirteen he went to his first international tournament in Costa Rica. He attended the Central American Males basketball tournament as part of the Nicaraguan National Basketball Team. When he was 15 years old he won a gold medal in the Central American games, and a year later, he became the youngest player of the major National Basketball Team of Nicaragua! The team won second place and for the first time in history, Nicaragua classified to play in the Caribbean games. During that tournament, Romario was offered a scholarship in Tecnológico de Monterrey, attending there from 2012 to early 2014.
Recently, Ponce and the Nicaraguan National Team won third place in the Central American games classifying to the Caribbean games once again, and for the first time in history, beating Mexico. Let us not forget that he now plays with our talented basketball team and is currently the captain. Read below to know more about our star athlete!
What motivated you to play basketball at such a young age? Ever since I was a young kid, I would see videos of Michael Jordan. He is one of my biggest inspirations, and my parents took me to my first basketball practice after they noticed I enjoyed watching the sport on TV. Once I touched a basketball for the first time, I was forever hooked to the sport and my passion continued to grow.
Is there a memory you cherish, throughout your history as a basketball player? A memory that will forever be in my heart is when I was able to make seven points to the Puerto Rican National team in 2012 at their own court! I felt very proud because I was representing my country, and it is really a joy do it so well.
Photos were provided by the interviewee.