Memphis went through a cold spell during January, with snow days and 20 degree temperatures becoming the norm. Missael Recio (11) never thought snow days were a problem he’d have.

Recio was born in the slums of Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela, a city in the northwest corner of the troubled country. Despite the cultural differences between the worlds, the streets of Maracaibo are not much different than those of Chicago or Oakland. Drugs were commonplace. So were “people that kidnap for money.” Instead of falling down these paths, Recio’s role models – his grandparents, dad and brother – pushed him into two other directions: religion and basketball.

“God put the ball in my hands when I was a baby,” Recio said. “I play for him and my big brother. He’s playing [Division 2] at Northern Oklahoma. I’m following his steps.”

It should be noted that Recio’s brother is not actually related by blood, but from simply being around the two, one would never be able to tell the difference. Recio grew up with Jesús Izquierdo by his side. When Izquierdo, three years older than Recio, moved from his hometown Yacuray to Maracaibo, the two first met through Izquierdo’s mother, who became Recio’s basketball coach. Recio quickly hit it off with both Izquierdo and his mother, who he today refers to as his own brother and mother.

Like most people from Latin America, Recio is a Catholic. His faith plays a huge part in his life today. Just by hanging around Recio or even watching his Snapchats, he constantly mentions his relationship with God and its importance to him.

“God knows when it’s time for me to do my thing,” he said. “I always thank God.”

Venezuela is currently facing an economic crisis due to the country’s over-reliance on the oil industry. Its recession began many years ago and is the reason Recio was forced to move to America.

“Our situation was bad and we had family in Memphis,” he said.

In 2012, Recio, his father and his grandparents made the move to America. Four months later, Izquierdo followed on a basketball scholarship to powerhouse Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas. It was a rough transition for Recio, who lost all of his friends and was forced to learn a new language. He “hated it here” his first few months. Within one year in America, however, Recio had learned enough English to be placed in standard classes at White Station his freshman year.

Learning English proved rewarding for Recio. He had set out to achieve a goal that, to him, seemed impossible, and succeeded. He decided to follow his dreams and try out for White Station’s basketball team, and his sophomore year, made the JV squad. This season, Recio impressed coaches at tryouts and was elevated to the varsity team.

“I learned that if you put your mind to something you can do it,” Recio said. “Nothing is impossible. That’s why I’m fighting for that starting spot. I’ll be ready my senior year.”

Recio’s ultimate goal is to play in Venezuela’s top basketball league, LPB Venezuela, something Izquierdo has already accomplished. Currently a freshman at Northern Oklahoma, Izquierdo “has a deal lined up for him” to play in the LPB when he graduates. With Recio’s success in America thus far, one has to imagine he has a real chance to follow him. But if not, Recio knows there will be another plan for him.

“God sends his wars to his strongest soldiers,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m making sense but it’s true. And right now I’m working on one of them.”