The green and white is familiar for Kai Cipalla. Everything else will be much different.
The Warwick grad, following three standout seasons at York College, has signed a contract to play professional basketball in Portugal.
Cipalla’s new team, S.C. Lusitania, competes in Proliga, a second-tier league in the southwestern European country. It wears Cipalla’s old college colors.
“My goal,” he said, “was to explore the world and play basketball at the same time.”
It will be a big adjustment for Cipalla, who has never ventured far from home. He started his college career at Millersville before moving west to York.
Cipalla started all three seasons for the Spartans, averaging 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. The 6-4, 230-pound forward was named a Division III All-American after his senior season.
Playing professionally has always been his dream. When his junior year arrived, he realized it was within reach.
Portugal will be Cipalla’s first stop. He’ll see where the bouncing ball takes him from there.
“Talking to a lot of people who have gone over and played in Europe, they said Portugal is a great place to start your career,” Cipalla said. “The coaches of this team were great to talk with. Our goals aligned with each other. It seemed like the right spot to go.”
Cipalla is one of the greatest players in Warwick history. He helped revive the program by averaging 24 points and earning all-state recognition as a senior.
After one season as a reserve at Millersville, Cipalla became a force at York. The Spartans, with several Lancaster-Lebanon League players on their roster, won their first MAC Commonwealth championship in March. Cipalla scored 26 points in the clincher.
Success in the standings will be his No. 1 priority overseas.
“My main goal is to win,” he said. “I’ve always loved winning my whole life. I want to see if we can take this team and go win their league.”
Cipalla plans to leave on Sept. 1 for the nine month season. Each team is allowed three foreign-born players and Cipalla said there will be one other American on the roster.
The adventure ahead is both frightening and exciting.
“I’ve never been anywhere in Europe,” Cipalla said. “It’s gonna be a learning experience to do it. To see the difference in cultures and all that stuff.”
Cipalla will have to speak enough Portuguese to communicate. One of the first words he might want to learn is 22, so he can get the number he has worn since high school.
“That,” he said, “is gonna be my first ask.”
Cipalla can find comfort in those uniforms. S.C. Lusitania’s green and white looks the same as the place where his pro aspirations took shape.
The Warwick grad hopes that’s a sign he’s found the right place to launch his pro career.
“It’s perfect,” he said. “It’s almost like it’s a match made in heaven.”
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