For Roman Perez, pursuing a professional career playing basketball became a goal of his when he was just 13 years old. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Roman remembers being surrounded by the game from an early age—playing on the court, talking about the game with his friends during recess and after school, watching his cousins play in semi-professional leagues in the DR—and quickly developing a deep love for the community, culture, and camaraderie exuded within it. It was special. It was indescribable. It was a world he was fascinated by and one he was determined to be immersed in. Despite being cut year after year from his school teams, he continued to work on his skills. He kept his eyes on the prize. Sure enough, it was in his first year of college where he secured the opportunity to play basketball. This was it. This was the chance that Roman had been waiting for all of these years to showcase his talents. After playing a season at Hostos Community College and another at NY City Tech, he decided to embark on the next chapter of his life and take his talents overseas. From playing in twelve countries around the world to playing in every minor professional league in the East Coast to playing in every major tournament in New York City, Roman has fostered an incredible personal legacy throughout his professional basketball career. Along with his impact on the floor, he has also pursued several ventures beyond the court focused on giving back to communities. From his Dudo Baez Foundation to his 'I Am Victorious' documentary, Roman remains committed to inspiring the next generation and helping others along their journeys. The best part of it all is...he's not planning on slowing down anytime soon!
What are some key takeaways or some lessons that you have learned from your time overseas that you would share with someone who wants to play abroad as well?
For any athlete out there that's following their dreams and feels like they're struggling or are losing hope, the goal is to not stop. Keep chasing your dreams, respect and love the game, and of course priorities—your family, your kids if you have any kids. Even the youth, you know, focus on your classwork. Make sure that you're doing what it takes to reach the high level—hitting the books and getting them good grades. For the adults that are still chasing their dreams, keep going. My official first contract as a professional player was when I was 31 years old. It came very late, but when I got my first paycheck I cried. I was like: “Wow, I can't believe this is real.” So don't lose hope, don’t lose faith, and keep fighting for your dreams.
In 2019, you not only won your first professional championship in the Dominican Republic but you won your first streetball championship in Rodney Park. What did achieving those milestones and earning these awards mean to you?
Yeah! 2019 was a big year for me. First and foremost, my wife and I had our second child. She was pregnant in 2019. First, in August 2019, I won my professional championship as you shared. That for me was one of my ultimate goals in life. A goal that I never thought that I would have accomplished was to win a professional championship in a professional league in the Dominican Republic—my own country, in the town where my mother was born. Then, two weeks later I came back to New York City to play on my home court in a park that I've been playing on...this summer is gonna be my 20th anniversary playing there in that park. I'm currently the Basketball Commissioner there (as well), so it all summed up to that moment in 2019. For years, people were saying: “Oh, Roman can score. Roman is good, but he doesn't know what it takes to win a championship.” Just to get that championship and brush that (doubt) off from people saying that I’m not a champion—especially because I'm from that park—, was indeed for me a dream come true.
Along with playing overseas, you have also played in every minor professional league in the East Coast and a lot of major tournaments in New York City. Take us through those journeys. What have those experiences been like for you?
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