Learning to say “bonjourno” and “da portar via,” has come in handy lately for former Long Beach State point guard Casper Ware.
“Whenever I pick up food at Burger King, I’ve learned to ask for it to go, which is ‘da portare via,’” Ware said. “I don’t speak Italian, but I can say a few things, including some bad words my teammates taught me.”
Adjusting to the language is just one of the small adjustments the 2011 and 2012 Big West Player of the Year has had to make. After completing a bright stint with the LBSU men’s basketball team, Ware pursued basketball professionally. He ended up at A.S. Junior Casale in Italy, where he starts at point guard and leads the second-division league in points and assists.
Ware has averaged 21 points and six assists over the season. His best game came against Brescia, when he registered 38 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
Aside from some of the language barriers he’s faced, Ware said one of the most challenging adjustments has been being away from home.
“I’m very close to my family, and it’s been really hard not getting to see them,” he said. “I Skype or use Viper with them every day.”
Ware’s father, Casper Ware Sr., said that it was difficult to see his son go but that he knew it was a great opportunity for his son to take his game and career to the next level.
“As my wife sat on the porch, she started to cry as she watched us drive off to the airport,” Ware Sr. said. “Tears came down my eyes too when I drove him. It hurt a lot inside because it was going to be a long period of time.”
For Ware, adapting to his new environment was challenging at first, but his current coach, Giulio Griccioli, said he’s had a remarkable transition.
“It was not easy for Casper [Ware] to be away from his family and hometown,” Griccioli said. “But now he’s done a great job of adjusting.”
According to former LBSU teammate and long-time friend Larry Anderson, Ware’s close relationship with his family made the adjustment especially tough.
“It’s the first time he’s away from his family,” Anderson said. “If his family was living in Italy, he could have probably been doing this for a lifetime.”
Director and general manager of A.S. Junior Casale Marco Martelli said his club has a lot of experience with the young American player to get to the next stage.
“Even though I never met Casper in person,” he said, “we had a great feeling about him after a phone interview.”
After making what he described as a good move for both parties, Martelli said he has no regrets on getting Ware signed to a deal.
“He’s like a sponge,” Martelli said. “He understands what you need from him, and his relationship with the team from coaches to players have been great. He’s brought personality, scoring and is always on time. A point guard must be an example on the court, and he provides our team just that.”
Griccioli said the addition of Ware to the team has had a huge impact, and Ware played an instrumental role as a leader.
“We won many games this season by just a few points, and he always got the ball for the most important shot at the end of the game, and he never missed,” Griccioli said. “He’s very reliable.”
LBSU men’s basketball coach Dan Monson said playing in Europe was a great option and gave Ware a great financial opportunity. Monson also spoke highly of Ware’s commitment in getting the maximum results.
“His work ethic is unparalleled,” Monson said. “He’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached. I recall how one game he missed a few free throws, and when I arrived at the court the following morning at 7 a.m., he was already practicing his shot with his dad since 6 a.m.”
Ware Sr. agreed, saying that he knows “wherever [Ware] goes, he produces.”
As he continues to produce on the court, he’s even done so in the kitchen. Being more than 6,000 miles from home, Ware gets his occasional craving for a taste of home.
“When I first got here, I used to eat at an Italian restaurant down my street, but I eventually started wanting good American food,” Ware said. “So I started cooking barbecue chicken, quesadillas and fried chicken, among others.”
Like comfort food, Ware has many fond memories of the time he spent at LBSU. He was not the only one quick to share them.
“It was funny and incredible to see his first dunk,” Anderson said. “It was surprising to see, and I was more hyped. He tried to act all cool with his serious facial expressions like it wasn’t a big deal.”
With high hopes of suiting up for an NBA team one day, Ware said he remains focused on the objective at hand with a committed attitude.
“It’s a great place to showcase your talent, and my agent told me it’s a good step to getting to the NBA,” Ware said. “My life in Europe mainly consists of waking up and going to practice, eating and sleeping. I don’t really get out much.”
With a dream of playing in the NBA still alive, though, basketball is all Ware needs.