ST. AUGUSTINE – It is every basketball player's goal to play professionally. For Jaizec Lottie, his dream came true when he signed with BBC Monthey-Chablais of the Swiss Basketball League (SBL).

"I've dreamed of playing pro basketball since I can remember," said Lottie. "I've dreamed of this day for a long time. It feels great to have achieved it, but my goal is set on the NBA and I won't stop until I get there. I believe God created me to affect those around me through the game I love, and one day soon I will be in the league. I am very blessed to be in this situation, but I am never satisfied.

He had made an immediate impact for the team, much like he did at Flagler College. Lottie was selected as the Hoops Agents SBL Player of the Week to begin the month of October. He poured in 39 points, dished out seven assists and added three rebounds in Monthey's season opener against Fribourg. Through four games so far this season, he is averaging 26.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. His 14 three-pointers leads the team and his 60.6 percent shooting mark from the field is second. And to add to that, he is a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line.

He is enjoying his time in Switzerland and the mountainous landscape is very reminiscent of his hometown of Aurora, Colorado. "I love walking out of my house and seeing the mountains all around me," said Lottie. "Switzerland is a beautiful country and the people are nice."

The pro basketball leagues in Europe restrict the amount of United States-born players and the league Lottie plays in is no different. The team is allowed four Americans and Lottie is joined by Jay Jay Chandler III (University of South Alabama '22), Kevin Langford (Texas Christian University '09) and Markel Humphrey (Marshall University '09).

"The big differences are that you have players who are a lot older than you," said Lottie when asked about the difference from the college game to the pro game. "We have players with 9-5 jobs and can't make every practice."

As with many European clubs, Lottie's living expenses are taken care of and he has a car to get around. However, the region of Switzerland is predominantly French speaking.

"A lot of my teammates speak English, but I am taking French lessons and trying to learn the language," said Lottie.

Lottie, a 6-foot-2 guard, transferred to Flagler from NCAA Division I member the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was a two-time National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-American as well as being a two-time Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, to go along with many other accolades. Despite only playing two years for Flagler, Lottie is 13^th in scoring in the program's history with 1,197 points.

He points to the Flagler coaching staff (former head coach Chad Warner, current head coach Blake Selland and associate head coach Kip Owens) for the success that he had at Flagler and how that has prepared him for this next chapter.

"The coaches instilled confidence in me and always allowed me to work hard and support me," said Lottie. "I still keep in touch with them."

"We are so proud of Jaizec and all he is doing in Switzerland, though I am not surprised because of who he is and the amount of work he puts in," said Selland. "Jaizec is a special human being. He checks in on me weekly and makes sure everything is going well with Flagler Basketball. I am thankful to have coached him and thankful to call him a friend. We are excited to continue to follow Jaizec's career."
 
Before Lottie arrived in the Ancient City, Flagler had 12 consecutive losing seasons and hadn't been to a national tournament since the 2004-05 season when the program competed at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level. In Lottie's first season, he helped the team win their first PBC Tournament title and then went on to capture the NCAA Division II South Region crown. The Saints made the elite eight and won their first game ever in a NCAA Division II national tournament.

Lottie has fond memories of his time at Flagler. "Both teams I was on were amazing when it came to being a family," said Lottie. "I loved making the final four as well and I will never forget that feeling. It was the best two years of my life."    

His advice to future Saints is this, "allow yourself to be open to new people and new experiences and you will thrive at Flagler College. The College is one big family that supports each other through everything. It was the best two years of my life."

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