There’s no denying scholar-athlete Doug Levy ’20 has had incredible success on the basketball court. A top performer on the men’s basketball team and within the City University of New York (CUNY) system, he’s earned a number of accolades, including John Jay Male Athlete of the Year, the CUNY Athletic Conference’s Most Valuable Player, and the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Division III First Team All-Star. But Levy admits that before coming to John Jay College, he didn’t exactly know what his future looked like. “My life didn’t have much direction, but coming to John Jay helped me to learn more about myself as a person, student, and basketball player, and showed me where I want to end up years down the road,” he says. After earning his bachelor's degree in Economics, he's taking his talent overseas to play professional basketball in Europe. “Being an athlete at John Jay has been so fulfilling,” he says. “The athletics program at the College has been so supportive of me during my four years, both on and off the court.”

Finding John Jay
Wanting a New York City college experience, Levy, originally from Smithtown, New York, set his sights on John Jay. “The first couple of months were challenging,” concedes Levy. “Living in New York City was a change of pace from what I was used to, and at 18 years old, I had to mature at a faster rate than I would have ever imagined. I learned how to navigate the City using the subway and how to manage my time so I could balance my classes, study, practice, and play basketball.” Levy also saw his time at John Jay as an opportunity to grow as a person. “Last fall, I took a public administration class that really helped shape me as a person. Learning about leadership and how to show up as a leader in every area of your life really translated to my personal life, my student life, and my life on the basketball court.”

Strengthening His Game
As a member of John Jay’s men’s basketball team, Levy found a supportive environment that championed his skillset and a team that felt more like a family. “On the court, we all want what is best for one another. Having that kind of positive energy around you makes the hard days a lot better,” he says. “And off the court, everybody in the athletics program is so supportive of each other. We all strive to better ourselves and those around us, and that makes being a scholar-athlete at John Jay such an amazing experience.” A particularly satisfying moment for Levy was when the Bloodhounds came out on top during the CUNY regular season. “There’s no better satisfaction as a player than going out onto the court and winning games with your brothers. My favorite moment was our team winning the CUNY regular season this past year.”

Looking Forward to the Future
Levy celebrated his graduation from John Jay with those closest to him. "I celebrated earning my degree safely at home with my immediate family. They’ve always been there to help me through every experience, and my graduating college is as much their accomplishment as it is mine,” says Levy. After that, he’s headed overseas to play basketball on an international stage. “I’m headed to Europe to play professional basketball. I chose this path because basketball has always been a true passion of mine and I can’t image my life without it.” Looking ahead, Levy envisions the future clearly, seeing himself up his game, performing better than ever, and achieving his professional basketball dreams. “In five years, I see myself still playing basketball, and trying out for the NBA [National Basketball Association]. I want to play this sport at the highest level possible.” If Levy’s record of athletic excellence at John Jay is any indication of what he can accomplish, we look forward to the day when we see him on an NBA court.