*Due to the language barrier, some quotes have been edited for clarity.
Foreign exchange students are students who travel to a country abroad to learn from their education and way of life. Madison Consolidated High School has hosted many foreign exchange students through the years.
This year, one such student is Oscar Gonzalez, a 6’0″ junior who came to Madison, Indiana from Spain. Gonzalez has one brother, Carlos, and his parents are Monica and Carlos Gonzalez.
“My dad was also an exchange student at Hanover, so I wanted to live the same experience as him.”
While the transition to the States can be difficult for any exchange student, Gonzalez has loved his time in Madison.
“The style of life (and) the people here are very different, so I like it.”
Besides the educational benefits, Gonzalez has come from Spain and is looking to thrive in the basketball program here at MCHS, although he hails from a country where soccer is the primary sport.
Gonzalez also participated in the soccer program this year, where he helped lead the Madison Cubs to a sectional win this year. Gonzalez scored six goals and had six assists this season for the soccer team.
“I love being on a team with my bros and enjoy what I do most,” Gonzalez said.
Basketball has been a big part of his life from a young age. Gonzalez has been playing basketball in Spain since he was three.
He played for Valencia and Torrent in Spain. Last year, his team won the Valencia Cup, and Gonzalez was the starting point guard for that team.
The differences between Spanish and American basketball can be challenging to adjust to, and it is no different for Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said, “It’s very different. In Spain, we play four quarters of ten minutes, and in America, we don’t have a shot clock, but in Spain, we do.”
Like many European players in the NBA, Gonzalez brings a complete style of play. In his most recent game, a Cubs 70-64 overtime win over Corydon Central, Gonzalez scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out six assists, and had three steals before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
There is no questioning Gonzalez’s love for basketball; He has been working incredibly hard, earning himself a starting position and being called one of the team’s leaders.
MCHS boys basketball head coach, Adam Stotts, gave his first impressions of Gonzalez:
“On the first day, he came in and played really hard, and I can always tell on first impressions how hard a kid plays and if we are going to be able to work with him or not. So great work ethic,” Stotts said.
Stotts also commented on what impressed him about Gonzalez.
“…His approach to the game; he has probably been in the gym more than anybody else in our program so far.” Stotts went on to say, “Just as a kid from a different culture and different country, his work ethic has really stood out to us.”
Stotts also talked very highly of Gonzalez’s influence on the court.
“The way he plays on the floor, I think guys feed off his energy. As a defender, I think he is going to be taking on one of our harder matchups every game, which is high expectations. (And) I think the way he plays on the floor is going to influence others to play harder, too.”
His teammates and classmates love Gonzalez. One Cub basketball player in a team poll even stated, “I would go to war with that guy.”
Gonzalez has already significantly influenced many people here at Madison Consolidated High School through his infectious personality, honesty, and hard work. While he has already contributed to one MCHS sectional championship, Gonzalez hopes to continue to help the Cubs succeed on and off the court.
