One in 700: Tenzin Dayab '21

Interviewed by Labib Kamal '21

How did you get into basketball and what motivated you to play?

I was introduced to the sport of basketball through my older brother. He and my dad were fond of the sport before I was. My brother and I were always competitive so once my dad put a hoop in our backyard, my brother taught me how to play, and ever since then I fell in love with the game. As I got older, I learned that I could play basketball for a living and get paid for it. Hearing that I could do what I love most as a job and also be stable and provide for my family, is a life that I want.

What are your plans for basketball after high school?

My plan after high school is to hopefully play at the highest level of college basketball (D1). My answer to this question in the past would’ve probably sounded more like: “To play in the NBA.” However, I have grown to take things step by step and enjoy the process as I go. I am working to play college basketball and at the same time be the first in my family to graduate college. After college, I want to pursue my dreams of playing basketball professionally.

Dayab '21 plays for NEST+m Upper Grades team.

Photo Source: Tenzin Dayab '21.

3. What are your plans for basketball after high school?

4. We heard you recently took part in a basketball tournament in Chicago over the summer. How did it go, and can you tell us about that?

This past summer, I went to Chicago for the first time to play in a Tibetan basketball tournament held every summer but in different locations. Usually I’ll stay in New York and play in the Tibetan tournament held here, however when my friend from New Jersey told me about the tournament in Chicago and how it is a much bigger platform where not only there will be basketball, but cultural events, I took it as an opportunity to interact with other Tibetans like me who also have a passion for basketball, be involved in my community, and at the same time travel to somewhere I’ve never been before. We ended up losing the tournament which was not the outcome I was hoping for, but overall it was still an experience I was glad to be apart of.

Dayab '21 plays for his team outside of school.

Photo Source: Tenzin Dayab '21.

5. Do you play for any other teams besides the NEST+m Varsity Basketball Team?

This past summer I played for an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team called Queens Defenders where I learned a lot from my coaches and about myself as a player. I am currently playing for a team in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO basketball). I play in this team while playing for NEST+m because even though it may be a lot to manage, I feel that the more experience I have with basketball, it will only make me better.

6. Why do you find basketball so unique? What separates it from other sports?

The sport of basketball is so unique because of how easy it is to connect and build relationships with others when playing. Living in NYC, the game of basketball is very popular, and there are countless parks with courts wherever you go. From my personal experience, most of the relationships I have made with the people closest to me are through the game of basketball. Basketball is a way for me to escape the real world. When playing, all my emotions and thoughts are at pause.

7. Are there any role models you have in basketball that shape the way you play or you particularly enjoy watching?

Playing at the point guard position for all my teams, someone whose game I admire is Chris Paul. In my eyes, he is a great floor general and is the perfect example of how you would want the person running your offense to play. What I enjoy the most about his game is how he is a pass first point guard and will make everyone on his team better by having that unselfish mindset.

8. The basketball season is almost upon us. Do you have any personal goals for the season? What do you think the NEST+m team will be able to achieve?

One of my main goals this season is to play with more confidence. The last two years of playing on the team have not been an accurate representation of my actual skills on the court. I felt that a major reason for this was my lack of self confidence and always being afraid of making mistakes. This season, I want to average at least double digits and improve on all my stats drastically from the last two years. As a team, I truly believe that we could perform better than we did last season and become league champions again. I also believe that we can make it farther into the playoffs than last year. However, this will have to be a team effort, and I’m going to do my best to make this happen.