Icelandic basketball has, since the 1970s, been closely intertwined with the arrival of American players who have enriched and elevated the sport in the country over the years. These episodes recount the adventurous early years of journeys across the ocean, when the first players, who had competed for prestigious U.S. college teams in front of thousands of spectators, began arriving in Iceland. They found themselves in the dark winters of a tiny community, continuing to chase their dream of making basketball their profession.

The story is followed through the profound societal changes that took place in Iceland, the growth of basketball in the country and worldwide in the early 1990s, the rise of women’s basketball, and reflections on the impact and legacy of American players. Their influence extends into modern times, where Americans frequently play key roles on championship teams in both men’s and women’s leagues.