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The story starts with a detour: RJ went to Japan to teach English and chase new experiences, not a contract. One late-night connection led to a Jordan-sponsored tournament, and suddenly the path shifted—black suit mornings in Akihabara, 8:30 p.m. practices, and a growing role in Japan’s evolving basketball culture. We talk about the contrast that defines his life now: strict etiquette and silent trains on one side, read-and-react hoops and the body language of winning on the other.

RJ opens up about what it means to stand out—6'5", Black, with locks—in a country that prizes uniformity. Most attention, he says, is curiosity, not hate. The language barrier is real, but so is progress; his teammates teach him phrases, and his girlfriend, raised in Beijing and fluent in Japanese and Chinese, helps him bridge gaps. There’s a wild Roppongi birthday tale in the mix, but the heart of this conversation is the grind: long teaching days, training in tiny windows, late-night team sessions, and the choice to keep going when it would be easier to quit.

We get honest about pro ball overseas: early-career pay that demands side jobs, teams that cover travel and gear but little else, and a system built on discipline and relationships. RJ breaks down how foreign players add flair while respecting Japan’s pride in fundamentals, why 3x3 is opening doors, and how opportunities arrive through people, not portals. He shares clear goals—earn real money in 3x3 or the B.League within two years, and be flourishing in five—and names the fuel that keeps him steady: family support and self-belief. If you’ve ever wondered what chasing a dream abroad really looks like—beyond the highlights and hashtags—this is the candid map.

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