b'thoughthedbepickedsomewhere between six and 15, Stephen says.Hewasdraftednumberfour overall.Astrongpre-draftscrimmage pushed him into the top tier. Sud-denly, he was a professional basket-ball player for the Pegasus organiza-tion, a team based in Daegu, a city Harrigansfatherdescribesasthe Korean equivalent of Baltimore.That night, Stephen watched his son board a train from Seoul to Dae-gu at 8 p.m., ready to start his new life.Hehadafive-yearcontract, Stephen says proudly. He was confi- Harrigan with his family. L to R: Stephen dent and ready. (his father), Jun, Hyunsook (his mother) Training is grueling. Coaches areand his Uncle Henry.demanding. The cultural expectationsthe NFL. At a young age, he dedi-can be ex- cated himself to his craft. If a young hausting.athlete wants to succeed, they needT h e yto forego time with friends, parties, wantyoufun things. I wish Id realized that toactaearlier.c e r t a i nAndwhatdoeshemissmost w a y , aboutMaplewoodandSouthOr-Harriganange? The people Ive met, he says. says.IfLifelong friends I miss dearly. Im you dont,gratefultohavegrownupinsuch Harrigan performing theyougetasafeandbeautifulenvironment. Korean Jesa memorial tos c o l d - He misses food here too. When hes commemorate his de- ed.Buthere he wants to eat at Arties, he says parted ancestors. allmywithout hesitation. Best food I can teammates deal with it. If they can getthink of.through it, I know I can too. For a young man halfway across Butthefansmakethestruggletheworld,livingalifeheonce worth it. Korean basketball culturethoughtimpossible,thatgratitude is passionate in a way that surprisedruns deep.him.GoingtoagrocerystoreorHisfathersumsitupsimply: just stepping out of the house, I al- Hesgrownintoadecentyoung most always get recognized, he says.man. Im very proud of him.Theresonekid,maybe10yearsAndforanyonewhowatched old, who bought me a cake for myHarrigansprintacrossOrchard birthday with his own money. I wasPark, knock on the Dawkins door so moved. Without the fans, playingfor another round of pickup, or walk professionally wouldnt be a thing. home under the canopy of SOMA HetextshismomIloveyoutrees he still misses today, his story is beforeeverygame.Thisonesmalla reminder of what this community ritual that keeps him grounded. makes possible.If Harrigan has advice for youngHardwork,heartandaneigh-SOMA athletes, its blunt but heart- borhood that opens its doors. Some-felt:Ifyouwanttosucceed,youtimes thats all it takes to send some-needtodedicateyourselfandsac- one soaring. rificealot.NothingworthhavingAdriannaDonatisaMaplewood/comes easy. SouthOrangerealestateagentwho He often thinks of his childhoodknows that sometimes all it takes is a friendRonnieHickman,whowasdriveway, a hoop, and the right neigh-raised in South Orange and is nowborhood. You can find her at pollock-a safety for the Cleveland Browns inpropertiesgroup.com.18/ matters magazine / winter 2026'