NBA chaplain Andy Riemersma uses music and pastoral care to reach players on brink of careers

Yahoo Sports2h ago13 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Andy Riemersma, an NBA chaplain and hip-hop artist, uses music and pastoral care to connect with players facing career challenges. He shares his journey and performs his song 'New Day' at a Noblesville Boom event.

Key points

Andy Riemersma is a team chaplain and hip-hop artist.
He uses music to connect with NBA players.
His song 'New Day' reflects personal struggles.
Riemersma's basketball dreams were impacted by concussions.
He performed for the Noblesville Boom audience.

Mentioned in this story

Andy Riemersma

New DayNoblesville BoomPacers' G-League affiliate

NOBLESVILLE — “So many days, I never thought I’d make it out. So many days I thought about shutting down.” - Andy Riemersma, New Day

Andy Riemersma will sing those lyrics from his latest song, “New Day,” in roughly seven minutes. A crowd of Noblesville Boom fans and a few players from the Pacers’ G-League affiliate are waiting to hear the team chaplain perform.

But for now, Riemersma is in the tunnel by Section 8 inside the Arena at Innovation Mile. The 30-year-old hip-hop artist is swaying his arms back and forth to loosen his body. His knees aren’t as weak, and his arms aren’t as heavy as they were the first time he performed a spoken word as a sophomore at Indiana Wesleyan in 2016. But he’s still anxious.

He contemplates doing push-ups to calm his nerves before bending down to tie his Jordan 11 Concord sneakers. The performance holds weight.

Riemersma always wanted to play in the NBA. His 5-11 frame and three concussions in high school derailed his dreams. But here he is on March 20, living in what he called “God’s round-about” plan for him to pastor and perform in the NBA.

There are five minutes until show time. It feels like an “eternity” to Riemersma. He uses it to say a prayer and practice his set.

“So many days, I never thought I’d make it out. So many days I thought about shutting down,” Riemersma repeats as he holds his phone, which is playing the song’s instrumental, to his ear.

The line alludes to a time when Riemersma considered quitting music. He questioned why anyone would want to listen to him among all Christian artists. But it is also in reference to the grind of building momentum in the early days of planting ONE Church in Westfield, where he pastors. Riemersma sees a similar reality in the lives of the G-League players he counsels.

“Sometimes I can sense the players just don't know what's going to happen tomorrow — are they going to get a call-up, be out of the G-League, or go overseas? And so it's just like it feels almost like a lack of security with the grind that comes with the G-League,” Riemersma said. “But if I can bring the gospel in and teach them our security is in Christ, then ifthey lost basketball, tomorrow, you would be okay. You have enough of a foundation under you.”

Riemersma uses music to break down the walls players often hold up. Through pastoring, Riemersma reinforces a purpose bigger than basketball to players who are uncertain of what’s next. Current players like Gabe McGlothan and former ones like Stephan Hicks have reaped the benefits of Riemersma’s faithfulness with his two gifts.

Q&A

Who is Andy Riemersma and what is his role in the NBA?

Andy Riemersma is a team chaplain and hip-hop artist who provides pastoral care to NBA players, helping them navigate career challenges.

What is the significance of Andy Riemersma's song 'New Day'?

'New Day' reflects Riemersma's personal struggles and serves as an inspirational piece for players facing difficulties in their careers.

How did Andy Riemersma's injuries affect his basketball career?

Riemersma's aspirations to play in the NBA were hindered by three concussions he suffered in high school, leading him to pursue a different path in music and ministry.

Where did Andy Riemersma perform recently?

Riemersma performed at an event for the Noblesville Boom, entertaining fans and players from the Pacers' G-League affiliate.