André Curbelo finished up his high school career as one of the best basketball players in Long Island history, but it was not an easy journey to get there.

Many know Curbelo as the slick point guard who became one of the best high school players in the country. What most people don’t know is how he got there.

As a teenager, Curbelo left his mom and dad behind in Puerto Rico to enroll at LuHi. He says it was not an easy transition.

“It was really rough not having my family here when I was 13 years old, not knowing anybody, not knowing how to speak English,” he says.

Curbelo was a star player in his hometown before leaving. While he expected that to continue right away with the Crusaders, it didn't. He says very little playing time and a lack of focus had him second guessing his decision.

“I wasn't sure if I was going to continue because it was so bad. I was not doing that well on and off the court, so I had to take some time for myself when I went back home, and think and see if LuHi was the best place for me,” Curbelo says.

Thankfully, he decided it was. Now he's hoping his success story is an inspiration for the next generation of young Puerto Rican basketball players.

“That's my motivation to keep playing basketball. I never do it just for me. The sport is way bigger than myself,” he says.

Curbelo is currently a freshman at the University of Illinois on a full basketball scholarship.