Lee Eckert wasn’t sure if he should click on the link at first. He thought it might be a phishing email.

Elizabethtown’s boys basketball coach was being told about a tall kid from Latvia who wanted to move into the school district. Attached, allegedly, was his highlight tape.

After realizing the player was legitimate, Eckert took a look. That’s how he discovered Kristaps Eglitis.

Eglitis played for E-town’s varsity right away. The 6-4 junior started a few games, but mostly contributed as a role player off the bench.

“He’s a pleasure to have around,” Eckert said. “He competes every day. He’s the first one who listens. When we put in a bunch of new stuff, he picked it up like that.”

Eglitis had never been to the United States before he moved to E-town in August. His family has roots in the area and his aunt still lives there.

What makes a 17-year-old leave everything he knows behind and move to the other side of the world? For Eglitis, it was the chance to be anything he wanted.

“It’s because of the opportunities in America,” he said. “Not just for school, but also in life.”

Eglitis wants to attend college in the U.S. and hopes to become an entrepreneur or work in cinematography. Is there any better place to start a business or make movies?

The move was scary at first. Eglitis left behind two younger brothers, whom he hasn’t seen in person since the summer, and he was immersed in a world he had only experienced through a screen.

Eglitis speaks English fluently, like many Latvians, which helped his adjustment. The junior also shares a name with NBA star Kristaps Porzingis and that served as a good ice breaker with his fellow teenagers.

“I would say the people are friendlier here,” Eglitis said. “There were kids who asked me questions. I wasn’t a familiar face, so they asked who I was.”

Basketball was another vehicle that helped Eglitis fit in with his classmates. It’s the second-most popular sport in Latvia, behind ice hockey.

Eglitis started to play when he was in elementary school. He was given what he described as a “cheapie rubber ball” for a Christmas present one year. The family didn’t have a hoop yet, so he and his brothers dribbled around the house.

Soon, Eglitis joined an organized team in his hometown of Liepaja, which he also shares with Porzingis.

“Our club is one of the biggest in the country,” Eglitis said. “Usually, at the club games there are a lot of people coming to watch the team.”

Basketball helped Eglitis meet one of his best friends: Nick Johnson. The teammates drove to Spooky Nook during the offseason and ran drills together. It’s usually just the two of them.

Along the way, they realized they had other interests in common, such as rhythm and blues music. They learned about each other through those memorable 20-minute trips.

Johnson was impressed with Eglitis’ willingness to chase his dreams no matter where they take him.

“I don’t know how he does it,” Johnson said. “Staying away from his family and all that is kinda crazy. I could never picture myself doing that.”

How hoops are played in the U.S. was another culture shock for Eglitis. The game is different here. It’s more physical. It’s less patient.

Eglitis was surprised when one of the players quickly fired up a shot during tryouts. Back home, there are always three or four passes before launching one toward the rim.

“Woah,” he thought to himself, “you can do that here?”

Eglitis has spent the past six months trying to polish his game, from practices at Daubert Gym to those workouts at the Nook.

“He’s easily the hardest worker on the team,” Johnson said. “There’s no one close.”

E-town finished 11-11 and stayed in the race for a playoff spot out of Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Two until the next-to-last game.

Eckert believes his team can contend again next season with much of this year’s rotation returning. Eglitis will be here to help the cause.

“This is a two-year journey,” Eckert said. “He’s contributed. He rebounds, he screens well, he probably cuts the best of anybody on our team. Everything else will come.”

Eglitis, who will turn 18 in May, is happy he took a leap of faith and tried life in the U.S. He has seen first-hand a country he only imagined through his favorite movies.

Basketball has been fun. Lasting friendships have been made.

“I’m being the best version of myself I can be,” Eglitis said. “Moving here was a hard decision. That toughness has made me mature.”

Eglitis heard this was the land of opportunity. He decided to find out for himself.

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