The Nuggets’ Chris “Birdman” Andersen tells kids to stay in school

chris "birdman" andersen

Arriving today in the Jewel on a brief visit, was the six foot ten inches tall, NBA star, Chris “the Birdman’’ Andersen. He has played for the New Orleans Hornets and is currently with the Denver Nuggets.  Birdman has made a spectacular comeback; he was banned for two years in 2006 for violating the league’s drug policy.  But since his reinstatement in 2008, a mature Birdman emerged to sign a contract worth up to twenty-six million U.S. dollars.  According to the Belize Basketball Federation’s president, the Birdman is here to share a “stay in school” message with students. His visit has been facilitated by the Belize Basketball Federation and Belize Natural Energy. Birdman’s first stop was at the Stella Marris School where the children were more than happy to welcome the superstar. And that’s where News’ Five Jose Sanchez caught up with him.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

Chris ‘The Birdman’ Andersen is well known for the brightly colored tattoos as well as for his ability to slam dunk and block the shots of his opponents.  He plays ball for the Denver Nuggets.  The Birdman is in Belize to speak to students about following their dreams. The Birdman’s first speech was on the basketball court of Stella Maris School in Belize City.

Chris “The Birdman” Anderson, NBA Player

“My dream was to go to the NBA as a little kid. And I had a lot of people tell me I couldn’t do it. But I did it, not only once, but I did it twice. I had obstacles in my life that I had to overcome and beat through—like there is a wall that you have to beat down to get through that to your dreams. And no matter how big that wall is, no matter how thick that wall is, if you can reach your dreams and beat it down and get across that wall, you can accomplish those and get to that, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

The students were quiet and attentive as the NBA player spoke. They crowded him with after the pep talk.

Chris “The Birdman” Anderson

“I’m just down here to say hi to the kids, spread the love. Come down and visit some kids and share my story and get to experience the country of Belize. I am here with B.N.E., with Susan and I’m just touring around and saying hello to the Belize.”

Jose Sanchez

“And your story. What is the story that you are sharing in a short format?”

Chris “The Birdman” Anderson

“No matter your struggles, you should always push forward and hold your goals up high and achieve your dreams and stay in school.”

Before leaving for Belmopan, Anderson took a photo op. with the kids and signed a few autographs. And whether through signs or voice, the kids made it clear that they were happy for their few minutes with the brightly colored six feet ten inches basketball player.

Tevon, Student

“He say he likes him.”

Jose Sanchez

“And the height and the haircut?”

Tevon

“He says yeah.”

Tony Esquilliano, Student

tony esquilliano

“He good.”

Jose Sanchez

“What about his height and ih tattoos?”

Tony Esquilliano

“He nice up.”

Jose Sanchez

“So you mi feel excited fi see a NBA player?”

Tony Esquilliano

“Yes.”

Jose Sanchez

“How you mi feel about the Birdman’s visit?”

alex zuniga jr.

Alex Zuniga Jr., Student

“Great!”

Jose Sanchez

‘You mi enjoy it?”

Alex Zuniga

“Yeah.”

Selvin, Student

selvin

“I like see when he speak.”

Jose Sanchez

“And weh you name?”

Selvin

“Selvin.”

Jose Sanchez

“And weh you mi think about ih height and ih hairdo?”

Selvin

“Ih big and ih look strong and ih dunk.”

Jose Sanchez

“And you woulda mi want wah hairdo like that?”

Selvin

“Yeah.”

calvin mckay

Calvin McKay, Student

“Well the man good. I like see how di man play on TV.”

Jose Sanchez

“So how you mi feel fi meet ahn just now?”

Calvin McKay

“I feel good to mein. I feel good that the man know how fi play and my school dah the first  stop.”

Kenroy Nicholas, Student

“He mi look good and hard.”

Jose Sanchez

“Ih make you want play more ball right?”

Kenroy Nicholas

kenroy nicholas

“Yes Sir.”

Jose Sanchez

“And what about the message of trying hard?”

Kenroy Nicholas

“You have to keep up the good work.”

Jose Sanchez

“Are you going to look at some of the local high school talent?”

Chris ‘The Birdman’ Anderson

“Yeah. I was told that I was gonna check out some games and ive always loved to watch basketball and I’m gonna check it out. I heard they took silver  and I wanna see them play if not play against them.”

Andrea Polanco, 7 News

“What do you hope to achieve through this goodwill visit?”

Chris ‘The Birdman’ Anderson

“I just want to share my position that I’m in being a professional athlete. Growing up as a kid, I grew up in a children’s home and I never really had that kind of inspiration. So I told myself whenever I got to my dreams and accomplished my goals and stuff that I would give back just as much as I could in the position that I am in. I like it here. It’s hot, but I grew up in Texas and it is hot there too. So it’s good to come back time to Belize again. Hopefully next time, whenever I come back, I’ll be able to play a little basketball with some of these guys.”

Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez

Later tonight, Andersen will be attending an exhibition match between Belize’s National Under-fifteen basketball team and Sacred Heart College at the UB gymnasium in Belmopan. In addition to visiting schools in Belmopan, on Friday he will also give pep talks at Maude Williams High, Excelsior High, Sadie Vernon High and Wesley College.