Some people come home from abroad with souvenirs, but local basketball star Jordan Rezendes returned with a new perspective on the world.

A student at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and Wareham native, Rezendes was chosen to play for the Division 3 U.S.A. basketball team in Brazil this summer. He was one of 20 players tapped to represent the country and was in Brazil from July 19 – 30.

It was his first time leaving the United States. He said what affected him the most were the 13 to 16-year-old children his team coached while in Rio De Janeiro.

After a practice, Rezendes recalled giving his belongings to the children, including leggings, sneakers and socks.

“I gave away so much stuff, I was giving away everything,” he said. “Everything, I just gave them everything I had.”

Later, the team attended the children’s championship game, which was held in one of Rio’s poorest communities.

“The gym was so dirty, it looked like there was dirt all over the place... but the kids were playing so hard,” he said. “The kids shorts were all brown. The court was slippery; they were sliding, dribbling and falling over.”

Rezendes noticed a lot of poverty in the city, however his team also experienced the beauty of Rio De Janeiro. They visited places like the Christ the Redeemer statue, the city’s beaches and the Olympic stadium.

Before heading to Brazil, the team practiced in Atlanta, scrimmaging for three days straight. They played against three professional teams in Brazil, winning against two of them and losing by three-points in overtime.

As for Rezendes, he hopes to return to a foreign country, but next time as a professional basketball player.

“I'm thankful,” said Rezendes about the trip. “I've leaned a lot more about myself. It made me think differently.”