Transitions: The Journey of AD Vassallo

When he looked into the crowd, he saw 10,000 Greek fans staring directly back at him. “Probably the best dunk I’ve witnessed in my life,” said A.D. Vassallo as he described the first play of the Puerto Rican Junior National Basketball Tournament; a dunk that broke the rim off of the backboard.

 Vassallo, a junior on the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team, has a very historic background when it comes to basketball. Vassallo’s father, Daniel Vassallo, is the all-time leading scorer for the Puerto Rican Professional League.

Born in Puerto Rico, A.D. Vassallo moved to the United States where he played basketball and baseball for Faith Christian Academy in Virginia. While playing basketball in high school, Vassallo earned his team’s Most Valuable Player award three years in a row while also collecting first team All-Area and NACA All-American honors.

“It felt good to get something that you worked hard for,” said Vassallo.

In high school Vassallo got to travel around the United States and play against some of the top players in the country. “It was fun playing against different people not from Puerto Rico,” said Vassallo. “I got to go different places in the United States and learn different things about towns and states. Playing against different people helped me improve in basketball while getting to see different sites.”

While playing in high school, Vassallo was one of the main go-to-guys for his team. He was the floor general and could do whatever he wanted. “Every time we won or lost it was because of what I did,” said Vassallo. “They either worshiped you or blamed you.”

When Vassallo found out that he would be playing college basketball for a Division I university he called his parents to tell them the news. “My parents were very happy that I had received a scholarship and was going to play for a Division I basketball team,” added Vassallo. Vassallo decided on Virginia Tech because it was the closest university from his high school and he felt that he could play right away.

Now that Vassallo has got a feel for college level basketball he thinks that there is a lot more team chemistry and that their really can’t be one player that is going to stand out. “It’s a team effort,” said Vassallo.

Vassallo says that in high school his toughest task was just making it to the game, but now in college he tries to win the game and please the crowd.

“The Virginia Tech basketball team features a lot of young talent this year,” explained senior forward Deron Washington. Washington and Vassallo are two of five returning players from last year’s remarkable NCAA tournament team. “Since I am a returning player I work hard so that the young guys can see the work ethic and give everything that they have,” said Vassallo. 

“A.D. has really helped me learn how to see the whole floor and look for the open man,” explained freshman point guard Hank Thorns. “Coming from Las Vegas it is hard for me to stay focused due to my family being so far away, but A.D. and I have formed a friendship because like me, his parents aren’t able to come to every game.”

Vassallo’s freshman year was a successful one, which in turn earned him more playing time during his sophomore season. Vassallo who is known for his outside shooting has increased the amount of rebounds he collects every season. When Vassallo arrived on campus he was hesitant to take his shot, but once he got into the rhythm of things and got his confidence up he showed everybody that he could play Division I basketball. From freshman to sophomore year his point total increased by 170 points.

Once Vassallo has completed basketball in the United States he hopes to return to Puerto Rico and play in his father’s footsteps. Vassallo still remembers the feeling of trying to win a medal during the Junior Nationals Tournament. “Trying to get that medal has a special meaning to it,” said Vassallo. “Representing your country is the best feeling in the world.”

Vassallo doesn’t plan on giving up hi dreams anytime soon. “I want to try and play basketball as long as my legs hold up.”

Photos by Kevin Cupp.