Jerry Johnson is a Graduate of Rider University & a former professional basketball player in Europe (2005-2018) & Hall of Famer. He is currently Director of Athletics at La Academia Charter School & CEO/Founder of iUNGO World platform.
Being able to return to a place where you played ball for a living, made lifelong friends, and created memories doing what you love is truly special. Back in October, I had one of the greatest experiences of my life. Landing back in Astana, Kazakhstan, felt like coming home, a second home, straight out of a movie. For a week in Astana, during a team reunion event, I was treated like royalty, celebrated with gifts and love. In some ways, at least for this particular occasion, it was even better than being home in Lancaster.
What many people don’t know is that back in 2012, I became the first American player to sign with the newly established Astana Basketball Club, or BC Astana. Eventually, I also became the first American to represent Kazakhstan internationally as a naturalized citizen. Now, in 2024, coming back as a special guest showed me how relationships built through basketball can open doors you never expect. These are doors that are now helping build iUNGO World into something unique.
When General Secretary Uzakov Almaz invited me back, it brought back memories of how it all began. I had just finished a solid season in 2011 with a major club, Galatasaray, in Turkey. We made it to the league finals before losing to our rival, Fenerbahçe. I knew I could still play at a high level, but I was jumping from club to club, unsure of where my career would take me next. This type of uncertainty is common for pro players overseas, and I trusted my agent. Taking a chance on Kazakhstan and the challenging VTB United League (Russian League) was a bold move. Leaving European basketball for Central Asia felt risky, but those five years with Astana turned out to be some of the best of my career and the most pivotal in my life.
What we achieved there was bigger than just winning games, although we had plenty of big ones. As I mentioned, I became the first American to gain Kazakh citizenship and play for the national team, representing the country in the FIBA Asian Championships in the Philippines (2013) and China (2015). Being both American and Kazakh changed everything for me. It gave me a second place to call home.
Coming back now, it was amazing to see familiar faces. Astana’s General Manager Samson Arakelyan, my old teammate and captain Rustam Yergali, and Kazakhstan Basketball Federation President Alpamysov Abay didn’t treat me like just another former player returning. They treated me like family. From business meetings to local games, they made me feel at home all over again. It was as if I had never left.
This visit wasn’t just about reminiscing, even though that would have been enough. I got to participate in a FIBA workshop with FIBA 3x3 Senior Manager Masaki Kitamura, where I showcased what we’re building with iUNGO World. These discussions generated excitement about what we could achieve together. A major highlight was meeting with Efes Kazakhstan, which recently became a key sponsor of the Kazakhstan Basketball Championship. They’re part of the company behind Efes Pilsen beer and one of Europe’s top basketball teams, Anadolu Efes S.K., in Istanbul. This is exactly the kind of partnership that can help grow the game worldwide.
The team invited me to watch practice, and I shared stories about our championship runs with the younger players. As I walked through the old facility, memories flooded back. I kept my emotions in check, but it hit me hard. I didn’t realize how much I missed playing and just being with the guys. One of the coolest moments was when they asked me to share insights about playing in the VTB League back then, which doesn’t feel that long ago. These conversations, giving back to the game, are what make basketball so special. I also connected with local business leaders who’ve supported basketball in Kazakhstan for years. They were enthusiastic about how iUNGO World could help showcase Kazakh talent on a global stage.
Looking ahead to this new year, we’re working on something unprecedented. We’re bringing together basketball leaders from Ghana and Kazakhstan. This is the essence of iUNGO World: connecting basketball and sports communities across the globe through technology and the authentic relationships I’ve built throughout my career.
My journey, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Kazakhstan, and now to Ghana, has taught me something crucial. Don’t just play the game. Build relationships. Embrace the culture where you’re playing. The teammates you have today might be running basketball federations tomorrow. They might become agents or coaches. The network you build as a player is invaluable when you’re trying to do something bigger after basketball.
The love I felt returning to Kazakhstan, from the flood of social media messages to fans waiting for me at my hotel, reminded me that being a good teammate and person matters more than any stats. While I don’t miss Kazakhstan’s bitterly cold winters, the basketball community there will always be warm and incredibly generous to me. I am humbled and beyond grateful to have played in their welcoming country, and even more so today, post-career.
As we continue building iUNGO World, the connections I’ve made over the years are making everything possible. We’re not just creating another app. We’re bringing people together through sports, connecting different parts of the world in ways that haven’t been done before.
Read more from Jerry Johnson
Jerry Johnson, Global Sports Business Enthusiast
Jerry Johnson is a true leader who is immersed in presenting sports opportunities and global sports business. Understanding the power of sports and opportunities is a life changer when used strategically. Johnson has since come back to his hometown to create sports opportunities for high schoolers at La Academia who have never had sports programming in the 20 years of school existence until . He is CEO/Founder of iUNGO World “The Evolution of Sports Social Media” platform.
