FEELS LIKE HOME; VAN RHEE MAKES MOVE.Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer Just over a year ago, Bas Van Rhee Rhee , Syngman 1875-1965. Korean politician who became president of South Korea in 1948. His dictatorial rule ended in 1960, when he was forced out of office and into exile. decided he wanted to come to America America [for Amerigo Vespucci], the lands of the Western Hemisphere—North America, Central (or Middle) America, and South America. The world map published in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller is the first known cartographic use of the name. . Like many who come to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. from distant lands, it was for a form of freedom. Freedom he couldn't gain in his homeland of the Netherlands. Van Rhee, 18, wasn't under any political oppression The offense, committed by a public official, of wrongfully inflicting injury, such as bodily harm or imprisonment, upon another individual under color of office. Oppression, which is a misdemeanor, is committed through any act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, or and Holland was far from a war-torn land. Van Rhee simply wanted the freedom to excel at Verb 1. excel at - be good at; "She shines at math" shine at excel, surpass, stand out - distinguish oneself; "She excelled in math" a sport he loves. Basketball. The 6-foot-6 Van Rhee took up the sport when he was 15 and has steadily progressed in his development. Especially since his arrival in Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. last Dec. 7. ``It was ugly when I first started to play,'' Van Rhee said. ``I was air-balling layups, but soon I was averaging 40 points and 20 rebounds a game. Basketball is not very big in Holland. I moved up real fast, I was on the junior national team and it felt like I hit the top there, but in the states the sky is the limit. I decided I wanted to come to the states to improve and help myself grow culturally.'' Van Rhee contacted friends of the family, Linus and Sharon Morris, and after the details were worked out - a process that Van Rhee said went miraculously mi·rac·u·lous adj. 1. Of the nature of a miracle; preternatural. 2. So astounding as to suggest a miracle; phenomenal: a miraculous recovery; a miraculous escape. 3. well - he ended up in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . ``I knew very little about him,'' Thousand Oaks coach Rich Endres said. ``I just heard from some of the kids that a kid from another country had checked in. They had him pegged peg n. 1. a. A small cylindrical or tapered pin, as of wood, used to fasten things or plug a hole. b. A similar pin forming a projection that may be used as a support or boundary marker. 2. from anywhere from 6-5 to 7-foot. They overestimated his height, but Bas is a tremendous kid and very hard-working.'' His transition to Southern California was a smooth one. Van Rhee already knew English and ``everyone went out of their way to be nice to me,'' Van Rhee said. Since he is not part of a foreign exchange program, Van Rhee can stay as long as he chooses. Which for him will be until he graduates from college. ``I hope to play basketball in college,'' he said. ``I know there is a lot of competition and it will be difficult, but this is my dream and I'll work hard to make it happen.'' Not only is he working hard in the gym and the weight room, Van Rhee is a mental giant, too. With a course load that includes several advanced placement courses, he has a 4.2 grade point average. ``I love to learn new things,'' he said. ``I'm trying to soak up everything I can. It's hard sometimes, though. I have a paper to write and sometimes for me it's hard to write good things.'' Van Rhee hopes to earn a degree and help his father run his business after college. ``I really want to attend college here,'' he said. ``I want to be able to help my father after I graduate. But you never know how things will work out. If I don't get to go to college here, I'll just go back home. It's a no-lose situation for me.'' The opportunity to play basketball at a much higher level than in his homeland is just one of the many gifts that Van Rhee has discovered during his time in the area. ``The best part is that your whole point of view is expanded,'' he said. ``You become richer as a person. There are so many different cultures here that you get to know many kinds of people and learn so many things.'' And in terms of basketball? ``It's very easy to improve your game,'' Van Rhee, a Lakers See Lake poets and UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX fan, said. ``There is so much competition and it's easy to get into gyms to play. In Holland, the gyms are not for public use.'' Van Rhee also noted that his relationship with his family, which includes his parents, three brothers and a sister, has grown since they've been apart. ``We E-mail every day,'' he said. ``We've become closer. When you live with your family you might say hi when you walk by or talk about things, but now we really talk, we talk about things that are personal and important.'' The daily communication has prevented Van Rhee from becoming homesick home·sick adj. Acutely longing for one's family or home. home  sick .
``I would really have to think hard to come up with something negative that has happened so far,'' Van Rhee said. ``Thousand Oaks is a very beautiful city. There aren't many things I would change if I had to do it all again.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1) T.O.'s Bas Van Rhee came from the Netherlands for the chance to play at a higher level of basketball. Joe Binoya / Special to the Daily News (2) ``I hope to play basketball in college. I know . . . it will be difficult, but this is my dream. I'll work hard to make it happen.'' - Bas Van Rhee, Thousand Oaks center from Holland |
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