Russian student pursues basketball dreams at SPC

by Jennifer Conlee, feature editor

When Americans think of Russia, the word “cold” comes to mind.  Some tend to think that Russia has cold people, a cold government, and very cold weather.

However, this view couldn’t be any further from the truth, according to Malik Motnii, 19, a sophomore at South Plains College.

“People are much more friendly in Russia than here,” said Motnii.  “It is easy to find new friends. You can become friends with almost anyone.”

Motnii, who moved to Moscow from the small country of Moldova at 13 to play basketball in high school, liked the nightlife there more than what exists in West Texas.

“There is something to do and somewhere to go 24/7 in Russia,” says Motnii.  “The clubs are open from 11 at night to 7 in the morning, and if you get bored there, you can go downtown.  The restaurants, movie theatres, coffee bars and shops are always open.”

Motnii says that Moscow is really popular for tourists, though everyone likes to see different things.

“Some come to see the Underworld, which is a five-story mall with lots of shops,” he claims, “and others come just to see the subway, which is the oldest and prettiest in Europe.  Others love to see the architecture or the Kremlin.”

Another difference Motnii has noticed is the drinking. 

“Here, students drink because people tell them not to,” he said. “In Russia, there is no drinking age, and we drink to have fun, not to get drunk.”

The pace of life in Russia is certainly speedier than here as well, according to Motnii.

“People are always going somewhere and doing something,” said Motnii. “During the rush hours, people are like ants, always in a hurry to get somewhere.”

Motnii came to the United States a year ago to play basketball for the SPC men’s basketball team. 

“I wanted a place to play basketball and study language,” he said, “so I came here. I loved playing basketball in Russia.”

Texas wasn’t quite what he expected. 

“I thought there would be lots of green grass, because Americans like pretty things,” said Motnii.  “I didn’t think there would be any snow. I thought that it would be the same temperature all year long, like a desert.”

Motnii is not a big fan of the cotton fields. 

“They are just a bunch of dirt to me,” he said,  “and the wind is ridiculous.”

He won’t have to put up with the wind for long, however.

“I have another year here, and I want to go to a university, though I don’t know where yet,” said Motnii, whose favorite country is Spain.  “I would like to live in Europe,”

“I like Barcelona,” he said. “They call it the Golden Coast, and everyone is welcome there.”