Sports Feature
Valdis Kravalis: Gift from Latvia
By: Gregg
Curtin (February 16, 2006)
There is a new name being bellowed deeply from
the crowds at the boys’ varsity basketball games, a new nation’s flag being
waved by a crazed fan, and a new big guy seen towering over the students
and teachers here in the hallways. What has caused all this commotion? His
name is Valdis.
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A recently arrived family from the Eastern European nation of Latvia
with little knowledge of English and just catching their first glimpse
of American life brought with them one of the best gifts that their
family could offer to George Mason High School, a six-foot, five-inch
tall athlete. The new senior from Latvia has been quite the stir
among the players and coaches. Plus he has played a little bit of
the game before coming here to Falls Church. In his old school in
Latvia, Valdis Kravalis would play in over 70 games in one season,
from September until April; he would even play street ball with his
friends between seasons if the weather would permit.
For those who do not quite know, Latvia is a small nation (about
the size of West Virginia) on the Baltic Sea that borders Lithuania,
Estonia, Belarus and Russia and was annexed from the former Soviet
Union in 1940. Valdis says that in Latvia, “everyone has a dream
of coming to the U. S.” For Valdis and his family, that dream has
come true with great success.
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Valdis Kravalis, a new senior center from Latvia, has been
a major contributor to the varsity basketball team during his
first season here at George Mason. (Photo by Gregg Curtin)
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The major difference between Latvia and the United
States is that the cities in Latvia are not as large, and everything
is not as clean as in Latvia as they are here in the United States, Valdis
explained. Another major difference that he also noticed was that, “the
people [here] are always smiling.” He said that the people here have
welcomed him with kindness and appreciation--especially the fans. “It
has been sweet” he said, when asked about coming to the United States,
and playing in front of the never-before-seen “Mason Madness.”
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“Those feelings are
indescribable…the people cheering, dude…it’s really great,” said
Valdis. In less than year in the States, he seems to have already
picked up the American teenager idioms that are so commonly heard
around the area. Although Valdis believes that the George Mason
players and coaches are some of the best he has ever had the opportunity
to play with and for, he still manages to jokingly complain about
the “low ceilings and doorways.”
Considering the new growth in attendance at the varsity basketball
games, Valdis could not have come to play for George Mason at
a better time. The fans appreciate him by screaming his name
(or the creative nickname, “Latvian”), and the coaches appreciate
him by putting him on the court to take control under the boards.
Valdis has more rebounds than points this season, with 189 and
153 respectively.
He can also play some defense, having already conducted 19 steals
and an outstanding 62 blocks. As one of the most dedicated and
influential players on the team, Valdis can pull down rebounds
and block opponents’ shots without even jumping sometimes.
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Junior
Alina Kaye compares her “wingspan” with that of 6’5” tall Valdis,
who smirks when he sees that his hands stretch out to almost
a foot longer than hers. (Photo by Gregg Curtin)
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He never hesitates to put up a lay-up if he sees the opportunity, and will
fight for the ball with strength and desire from the 1st quarter
until late in the 4th quarter. As an obviously skilled and
devoted athlete, Valdis is still unsure about his aspirations for attending
college either in the United States or in Canada. When asked about playing
basketball in college, the lofty, modest, eastern European basketball
star merely replied, “Hopefully…who knows.”
Tell us what you think.
E-mail lassogmhs@hotmail.com
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