Hong Kong’s Luigi Lam closer to her dream of playing US college basketball with admission to Illinois Wesleyan University
- Lam, who will play in Division III of the NCAA, was coached by Strive Fitness’ William Lo, the man who guided Yannie Chan
- Also heading to the US will be Mathilda Toure, 19, and Karina Lin Ue-shan, 16, who will both attend the Storm King School in New York
No dream is too big for Luigi Lam Cheuk-ying as the former captain of the city’s under-18 women’s basketball team continues to pursue her dreams on the hardwood floor.
The Hongkonger believes she is a “big step closer” to her dream, one that is 10 years in the making, after the 19-year-old was admitted to Illinois Wesleyan University, where she will play in the United States’ National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament in 2025.
The NCAA is the premier competition for college basketball. Lam’s team will play in Division III.
“I’ve dreamed of playing basketball in the US so the idea of actually going still feels surreal,” Lam said. “I want to compete at the highest level, to secure the NCAA Championship and ultimately pursue a career as a professional player.”
Behind that dream has been a lot of hard work, dedication and practice. And those days and nights at Strive Fitness in Wong Chuk Hang with coach and co-founder William Lo Wing-kwan have also proved instrumental.
“My seemingly impossible childhood dream has turned attainable with those three years with the programme,” Lam, captain of the Strive Gold Team, said. “But I know it will take much more effort [to achieve it].
