Hope is a powerful thing. But there can be moments when it seems nonexistent. For Mayan Kiir, hope was learned over time. Beginning in the war-torn country of Sudan in the early 2000s.

“Growing up in this place my brothers and I couldn’t get an education,” said the USF sophomore. “We couldn’t do anything. My family couldn’t find work.”

Track: Kiir was forced to leave at a young age…fleeing with his mother and siblings - leaving his father, a general, behind to fight.

“There was a lot of crying and sobbing. It was so tough. But I understood why we had to do it,” said Kiir.

Kiir and his family made their way to Australia. That is where he found his passion – Basketball. After developing his game, Kiir made his way to the states to play at Victory Rock Prep in Bradenton where he became a high-level recruit.

“I just thought to myself like ‘wow’ I can’t believe I am here or in this position. Let’s go see how far I can go now that I am here.”

Kiir started out at LSU. Last spring, he decided to transfer. Once again…looking for a home. He feared he might not find another place to play college basketball until USF came calling.

“Mayan is such a great kid. And he wants to be coached hard,” said USF head coach Brian Gregory.

“To have my family over there so far away, this team is so important,” said Kiir.“These guys are my brothers and they just make me feel so at home here.”

That family presented Kiir with a major gift nearly two weeks ago when the NCAA gave him a waiver to play immediately instead of sitting out a year.

Brian Gregory: “We have a little announcement for you…you are eligible.”

“To see that happen for this kid is just so special. And as a head coach that is why you do,” said Gregory.

And nothing brought more joy to Kiir than telling the person he has not seen in person in over three years – his mother.

“She was more excited than I was,” said Kiir with a big smile. “I just hope she can get over here soon and see me play a game.” 

Each of us is on a journey to do what we love. Most of us can cling to hope from the start. But for Mayan Kiir, hope was found on his journey to basketball. Now Kiir is using hope to live out his dreams at USF.