Ma Jian

In 1986, at the age of 16, my passion for basketball was ignited when my father brought back two overseas basketball magazines, which became my gateway to mastering the sport. Watching NBA matches on CCTV for the first time that year felt like uncovering precious gems, inspiring me with their philosophy and skillful techniques. One day, I turned to my father and asked, “Dad, do you think I could play basketball in America?” He replied with unwavering support, “As long as you set your goal, persevere, and work hard for it, you'll definitely have the chance.” From that moment on, I was resolute in my decision.

In 1988, during a coaching training course hosted by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), American coaches from the University of Delaware and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) were present. In the demonstrative class, while others gave 80% effort, I gave my all with 110%. After the training, the two coaches approached me and asked, "Do you want to study in America?" Overwhelmed with surprise and excitement, I replied without hesitation, "Yes!"

In 1988, I had the honor of joining the Chinese National Basketball Team for the Olympics. After the tournament in 1992, I took the initiative to cover my expenses and pursued studies in the United States. Stepping onto the UCLA campus, I realized the significance of knowledge acquisition alongside basketball technique. Later, I transferred to the University of Utah to complete my professional studies, which significantly deepened my understanding of basketball philosophy. Moreover, I gained invaluable firsthand experience with the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) sports scholarship management system, where my training and academic progress were closely monitored. This taught me to manage my time efficiently and become more disciplined. Additionally, a sports scholarship provided the advantage of lower academic admission requirements compared to regular students.

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The experience gained during my time in US college and sports career has inspired me to establish a not-for-profit foundation that empowers youth worldwide to realize their athletic potential and pursue their dreams. Witnessing how the NCAA's system opened doors for amateur athletes to access higher education through sports scholarships, and observing the discipline it instilled in students, drives our foundation's mission to support aspiring individuals like you in achieving your dream university and beyond!

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                                                                                                                              - Ma Jian                                                                                                                                                                       University of Utah Alumnus and Former Basketball Star                                                                                                                         Olympic Games Veteran and Former China Team Basketball Player