Listen to the In and Out Podcast, hosted by Brynton Lemar: Apple Podcasts  |  Stitcher


Whether it is a schedule of games involving your favorite sports team, accomplishing simple tasks like grocery shopping, or a personal milestone (planning for a wedding, for example), COVID-19 forced everyone around the world to become flexible, adapt to situations and find appropriate solutions for nearly the entire year.

Even though it may take extra effort and patience to overcome numerous pandemic-created challenges, it is still just as easy to celebrate positive events with friends, family members and loved ones.

Just ask Brynton Lemar.

Two months ago, the 2017 Colby E. Babe Slater Award selection — bestowed annually to UC Davis' top male student-athlete — became a married man by participating in a ceremony that took place at Blacks Beach in San Diego, his hometown.

"This was a spur-of-the moment event. We knew we wanted to go to the beach, but this was not planned to the level as the original celebration that was canceled in Jamaica," Lemar shared.

Due to travel restrictions create by COVID, Lemar, his bride-to-be and their family were unable to head to the Caribbean and participate in a ceremony planned throughout the preceding year.

Forced to adjust on short notice, the Lemars quickly organized and enjoyed a personal milestone that everyone in attendance will remember for the rest of their lives.

"We had a 15-20-minute ceremony that was intimate, represented our story, and the time we are in since we needed to adapt from our original plans."

Lemar added, "My wife planned most of the wedding … all I cared about was the food and music. Other than that, I did not have a preference for the type or color of flowers, what chairs we should use, or which photographer to select as long as it took good pictures. I just shared my opinion here and there when asked and provided support when it was needed."

Once his wedding was canceled and forced to take place at an alternative time and location, the same characteristics that helped Lemar successfully navigate his way through that challenge — perseverance, his faith, maturity and perspective  — were the ones that led to another life-changing opportunity that took place one month before he said "I do."


As a professional basketball player who competed in Poland for MKS Start Lubin last season, Lemar enjoyed another MVP-caliber year by finishing second in the Polish Basketball League's voting for this award by averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

Led by his season-high 34-point effort, which took place in 33 minutes of action against Polpharma Starogard Gdanski, he scored 20 or more points eight times and finished in double figures in all but three of his 22 games. It was these averages, game-by-game stats, and film that featured numerous jaw-dropping performances that caught the attention of coaches and officials from one of Europe's top leagues.

When individuals compete abroad, most sign a contract for one year. Multi-year agreements are negotiated from time to time, but one-year contracts allow individuals to play in the best leagues, on the best teams, without a long-term commitment. Once a champion is crowned, teams start reaching out to agents and players because coaches scout the continent throughout the year and have a pretty good idea about who they want to pursue during the off-season.

"I was thrilled to receive an offer from Gaziantep Basketbol because I know how competitive the game is in Turkey, and understood how this opportunity would allow me to showcase my skills against players from one of the best leagues in the world," said Lemar.

Gaziantep was one of numerous teams who were interested in signing Lemar for the 2020-21 season, and quickly became the frontrunner to sign him due to its recruitment efforts.

"I knew I should sign a contract and join this team after I spoke with its coach. The organization was very interested in signing me … and was willing to match any offer I received. All they asked was that my agent or I let them know if I received additional offers or wanted to play somewhere else. That conversation validated the hard work and time I invested in becoming the best possible basketball player, and showed how all the sacrifices I made leading up to that offer paid off.

"Hearing that showed me how much everyone wanted me to join the club," Lemar added.

Two weeks into training camp, Lemar is settling into his new home in Gaziantep, located in south Turkey and a 1 hour 45 minute flight away from Istanbul. Due to travel restrictions into the country, combined with a paperwork delay, Lemar is patiently waiting for his wife to join him.

"I miss my wife; I am excited for her to move in with me, which should take place in early September. We cannot wait to see each other again since this year is all about adapting to current situations — that is what the two of us are doing. There are flight restrictions to Istanbul and visa issues that we are facing, but we are determined to make everything work."

For the time being, the San Diego native is eager to explore his new home until competition resumes.

"The season starts in late September, so we have a few more weeks of training camp before everything begins. Whether we play in front of fans, the league is split into separate divisions, or the length of the season itself is altered, I am ready to play basketball.

"If there are no fans, I can hear other guys talk trash to me and I can talk trash in return. With fans, the game is definitely more exciting; without fans, teams will need to prepare for a different environment that will truly highlight which teams are mentally prepared and ready to compete."

After a whirlwind summer that included a move to a new home and a change in marital status, Lemar is thrilled to fully embrace his new basketball-related opportunity with his wife and continue working on a side project that provides balance to his life.

"I am looking forward to the second season of the In & Out Podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. This podcast highlights the life of a professional athlete and the challenges we face on a personal and professional level. This is not an easy job, which is why I enjoy sharing my experiences, talking to others and encouraging them to share their experiences to show everyone what takes place behind the scenes."

Whether Lemar is spending time with his wife off the court, or his teammates on it, there is no doubt that he will take full advantage of this opportunity in Turkey thanks to the same perspective, faith and attitude that helped him manage the highs and lows experienced throughout his first three years as a professional athlete, and sudden circumstances that took place before his wedding.

"I do not know what is going to happen throughout the upcoming months, but I do know that (my wife and I) will persevere, adapt and overcome any challenge that we face."


Notable and Quotable
Re: Personal growth that took place since he graduated from UC Davis
"My experiences have been a testament to the benefits of perseverance, not everything has gone my way these last four years. I kept moving forward through it all, was strengthened by my faith and maintained my perspective. I challenge myself every day, whether it involves basketball or my life off the court, to improve and become a better person. Can I get better today, or have a better day today than yesterday? This is the question I think about every day when I wake up."

"Through practice, training my mind, and my faith — I have become closer to God these last four years — I can let life push me off the path that is best for me and lose myself when things do not go my way, or I can work hard each and every day to become the best possible person. These last four years have been great to me, and I embraced the good and the bad that took place throughout my career."

"I trusted God's plan, reminded myself that everything was going to be OK, and allowed life to go on knowing that I would need to adapt at certain times. These past four years have truly been a blessing, I am thankful that I have the ability to play basketball because there are a lot of talented people who are not provided this privilege. I enjoy each and every day of my journey, and will continue to enjoy life as much as I can because I realize how blessed I am."


Re: Biggest difference between playing basketball at the college and professional levels
"In college, this was part of my daily schedule that also included classes and trips to the dining commons where my teammates and I would talk about anything and everything, including how that day's practice took place. My teammates now have families and kids to support through basketball, which makes the game a bit more cutthroat since basketball is also a business, as is the case in every professional league."

"It is truly a blessing to get paid for playing the sport I love. There are a lot of people who could be playing professional basketball, but were never afforded the opportunity."


Re: Combating homesickness
"Watching basketball helps me remain connected to the United States As an athlete competing overseas, I still possess aspirations of playing in the NBA, which is why I stay up and watch how the Lakers are competing in the bubble."
(Editor's note: There is a 10-hour time difference between San Diego, his hometown, and Gaziantep, Turkey, his new home.)

"Even in my fourth year, I am still adjusting to being homesick, which is why I talk to loved ones multiple times each week. Until I see her when she arrives to Turkey, I talk to my wife frequently every day. (Former teammates) Darius (Graham), Olivier (Paul-Betu) and Chima (Moneke) and I FaceTime or talk 2-3 times a week."

"I handle homesickness by talking to my parents frequently through FaceTime, but it is not the same as having in-person conversations. Cousins who graduated are now in their third year of college and my sister is getting older. Being away from home is tough, no doubt about it."

"My family is excited for me, supports me, and visits 2-3 times a year. They stay for a few weeks before returning home. Plus, there are breaks in the season that help me take care of myself and allow me to spend time with loved ones. I try to be positive every day because being overseas is a grind, and that attitude helps me enjoy this unique opportunity."

"If I dwell too much on what I am missing, it will show in my game because that full commitment is not there. Talking to my wife, family and friends helps me compartmentalize things because I am only playing basketball for a limited time each year, and I want to fully embrace and enjoy this opportunity while it takes place."


Re: Benefits of playing professional basketball in Europe
"Since I have an opportunity to play in Europe, I take advantage of opportunities to travel and visit various countries. When the season starts, I am locked in and focused on competing. However, I still need to take breaks and step away from the court. Visiting these cities — Paris, Vienna, Warsaw, Istanbul — is amazing since these are beautiful areas that I never thought I would visit. Now that I have this chance to enjoy adventures in various countries, of course I am going to take advantage of it."

"I love trying new food from different cultures, that is one of my favorite things to experience when I visit new cities and countries. If I am out here, I am going to enjoy as many things as possible."

"Vienna is my favorite city in the world. I love this beautiful city and everything it offers."

"I enjoy exploring and traveling, sometimes on my own, because I want to fully embrace everything this opportunity has to offer."


Re: Communicating with teammates
"Communicating from one language to another is always a challenge. Throughout my career, coaches spoke English well and I try to learn as much as I can so I could communicate in another language, to a certain degree. This was a big challenge in Poland since that language is one of the toughest to learn in the world."

"When you are on the court, basketball is universal. I do not need to tell someone to go to a certain spot or make a certain decision, because my teammates know what to do."

Re: How the game is played in different countries
"Different styles of the game are played in different counties, and I have been able to experience this firsthand. European basketball is different from the NBA: the style is different, the overall makeup of players are different, which is why NBA players compete in Europe and do not succeed, and vice versa. In France, the game is fast-paced and the level of athleticism throughout the league is the main reason why. In Poland, the game is played at a slower pace and is more tactical."

"As a professional athlete, playing in different leagues and learning different styles of the game helped me grow, further develop my skills and turn my weaknesses into strengths. I pride myself on shooting the ball, I am a great pick-and-roll player, I play solid defense, my speed and court vision helps me find guys and set them up for scoring opportunities."

"If you can shoot the ball and play defense, you will earn opportunities to play because those skills transfer from one league to another, one style to another, and one country to another."



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