HALL OF FAME SERIES: Catching Up With Jacques Vandescure
In a continuation of the charming series that catches up with Winthrop University Athletics Hall of Fame inductees since their departure from the esteemed university, we take a zoom in on the life of Jacques Vandescure, a crucial part of the historic 1998-99 Winthrop’s men’s basketball team. Vandescure has since being inducted into the 2024 Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame.
Jacques Vandescure: A Life in Basketball
Since his time at Winthrop, Jacques Vandescure has been inextricably tied to the sport of basketball. He has passionately echoed, “Basketball is in my DNA” from his home in Brussels, Belgium. Apart from being a professional player, his resume also reads an international scout for the high-profile San Antonio Spurs, a position that saw him earn an NBA Championship ring in 2014. His passion for the sport also took him to India and Dubai, where he was a coach and technical director for NBA sponsored academies.
The Globe Trotter
Vandescure’s journey across the world was not without its challenges. During his time in India, he remembers an incident where despite having all the necessary settings for a basketball camp, they had to wait around for 24-hour just to get a basketball. His dedication to the game, however, is larger than these minor setbacks.
Prioritizing Personal Life
After years of traveling, Vandescure decided to establish his own scouting company to balance time between his career and his family, wife Priscilla, and children, Eloy,5, and India, 2. His company allows him to travel to Africa on a monthly basis.
A Flashback to Vandescure’s College Career
Vandescure transferred from Eastern Wyoming Junior College to Winthrop after a stellar career that saw him named the conference player of the year while averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds a game. He started 25 of 27 games in his first year at Winthrop, putting up impressive numbers, including a career-high 20 points against Campbell.
Despite an unfortunate loss in the NCAA Regional game, Jacques maintains that an injury to point guard Tyson Waterman was a major contributing factor to their defeat. Even so, Vandescure’s legacy is far from defined by this loss. His role in promoting basketball around the world is a testament to his dedication and love for the game, and to him, the greatest recognition would be for his players to regard him as a valuable teacher.
