Professional basketball player Eugene Campbell III, a Jersey City native and former New Jersey City University (NJCU) standout, traveled to Jordan to play for Inglizia Sports Club. Campbell has played professional basketball overseas since 2020, according to his LinkedIn page.
The visit was planned as a short stay that would last about a week and include three or four games before his return to the United States. The arrangement ended quickly after Campbell played one game for the team. He said the club decided to sign another player and told him he would receive payment for his time and a return flight to the United States. According to Campbell, neither the payment nor the travel arrangements were provided.
- Former New Jersey City University basketball player Eugene Campbell III spent nearly two weeks stranded in Jordan after being released by Inglizia Sports Club, which he said did not provide his pay or a return flight.
- Campbell reported living in team housing without running water, heat, or a working stove, while also lacking access to personal funds after a fraudulent charge occurred during a previous stop in Lebanon.
- A GoFundMe fundraiser created to cover travel expenses quickly surpassed its initial $3,000–$3,500 goal, raising more than $16,000 within two days.
Utilities Lost In Team Housing After Release From Club
After the team released him, Campbell remained in Jordan without salary or travel support. The apartment used by team players lost basic utilities during that period. Campbell reported that the residence no longer had running water, and the heat was shut off shortly afterward. Supporters also stated that the apartment had no working stove.
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Communication with the team continued during that time. Campbell said he was told the club would not provide his pay or the promised plane ticket and that he needed to leave the apartment by the following day.
These events occurred while warfare continued in the Middle East, which added complications to travel and communication across the region.
Fraudulent Charge Prevented Access To Personal Funds
Before traveling to Jordan, Campbell had been playing for another basketball team in Lebanon. During that time, a fraudulent charge affected his finances and left him unable to access his personal funds. Without access to his money and without travel support from the Jordan-based club, he lacked the resources needed to purchase his own plane ticket home.
GoFundMe Campaign Created To Pay For Return Travel
Campbell and supporters turned to social media to seek help with travel costs. A GoFundMe page titled “Help Eugene Campbell III Return Home from Overseas” was created to raise funds for his return to the United States.
Organizers initially set the campaign goal at $3,500, while Campbell stated the original target was $3,000. Early updates showed $1,190 raised from 32 donors by 3 p.m. Wednesday. As the fundraiser spread online, contributions increased rapidly. Within two days, the campaign received more than $16,000 in donations.
Donations Arrived From Communities Across New Jersey
Support for Campbell came from multiple communities across New Jersey, including Jersey City, Carteret, Rahway, and Montclair. Friends, former teammates, and community members shared the fundraiser online, which expanded its reach and increased the number of donations.
Christopher Lugo, Campbell’s best friend in New Jersey, described how people from across the state contacted him about the situation and offered support.
NJCU Graduate With Professional Career Overseas
Campbell attended New Jersey City University, where he played basketball and earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology, according to his LinkedIn page. After graduating, he began a professional basketball career overseas in 2020.
In addition to athletics, Campbell founded the nonprofit organization Walk a Mile N Our Shoes, where he serves as founder and CEO. The organization states that its work focuses on building relationships through community activities and providing necessities such as shoes, clothes, and water to people in need.
The mission statement explains that the organization works to support community members while building connections through shared experiences.
Plane Ticket Provided After Story Spreads Online
As the fundraiser expanded and Campbell’s situation gained attention, the circumstances changed. Campbell said Inglizia Sports Club provided him with a plane ticket on Thursday. According to News 12, he is scheduled to leave Jordan on Friday, ending nearly two weeks stranded in the region.
News 12 contacted Inglizia Sports Club for comment regarding the situation and reported that a response had not yet been received.
Campbell Plans To Offer Refunds To Donors
After securing travel home, Campbell said he would offer refunds to donors who request one from the GoFundMe campaign. He also stated that his next priority will focus on giving back to his community, which supported him during the situation.
