Pepe Garcia’s Transition from Professional Basketball to Love Island Stardom: Finding Success as a Content Writer

From Fiji to the Big3: How ‘Love Island’ Contestant Jose Garcia Turned Injury into Opportunity

August 25, 2025, 11:40 AM ET

A Text Message initiated a flurry of excitement for the male contestants on Season 7 of “Love Island” – a surprise announcement of a 3-on-3 basketball competition. While the reveal sparked jubilant reactions, for Jose “pepe” garcia, a former professional basketball player, the news was tinged with apprehension.

A Nagging injury,A Competitive Spirit

Garcia’s hesitation wasn’t due to a lack of skill or fear of competition,facing Chris Seeley,a 6-foot-8 opponent. Rather, a recent injury threatened to sideline him; Garcia sustained a foot injury during a prior challenge, resulting in significant bleeding and difficulty walking. Despite the pain, he resolved to participate, fueled by his relentless competitive drive.

“I’m limping everywhere,” Garcia confided to ESPN. “so for me, yes, I’m excited, but together, I’m thinking, ‘I can’t even walk.’ But I was like, it’s good, I’m going; I don’t care.’ That competitiveness in me came out.” The game provided a brief respite from the Fiji villa and sparked a second encounter between Garcia and Seeley, who both boasted professional basketball backgrounds.

A History on the Court

Remarkably, Garcia later discovered through his father that he and Seeley had previously faced off in high school. Despite the injury, Garcia scored the opening points, showcasing impressive shooting skills, but Team Chris ultimately emerged victorious. The game’s intensity escalated, with the scoring target repeatedly raised from 11 to 15, and finally to 21, as Garcia pushed through the pain.

“I think the original game was supposed to be to 11 as of my foot,” Garcia explained. “And then, of course, like, I was like, now we’re playing at 15, and then I was like, now we’re playing at 21. By the time I got to 21, my sock was full of blood, but I was like, ‘Hey, do we push this to like, 25 or something like that?’ We just kept wanting to push it and push it.”

From High School Gyms to Overseas Arenas

Garcia’s passion for basketball began in eighth grade, but his dedication intensified when he met Coach AC during his freshman year of high school. The coach offered a free workout, which Garcia recalled as one of the most grueling experiences of his life.Despite the exhaustion, Coach AC’s assessment, “Probably won’t see you next week, but you did good today,” motivated Garcia to return, understanding it was a test of commitment.

By his senior year at Los Alamitos High School in California, Garcia averaged 18.8 points and 3.2 assists per game. He credited Coach AC with broadening his perspective, demonstrating that a successful basketball career didn’t necessitate attending elite programs like Kentucky or Duke. This insight led him to Cal State Fullerton, where he played from 2017-2019.

After leaving Cal State fullerton,Garcia pursued opportunities to play professionally in Spain,leveraging his Spanish birthright. He later played for Fuerza Regia and Toros Torreón in Mexico from 2021-2022, averaging 9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 35% from the three-point line. He concluded his professional career back in Spain in 2023.

Team	League	Years
Fuerza Regia	Mexico	2021-2022
Toros Torreón	Mexico	2021-2022
Various Teams	Spain	2019-2021, 2023

A lingering knee injury forced Garcia’s retirement, marked by a sobering diagnosis: his patellar tendon was “fully dead,” risking catastrophic failure. he transitioned into a career as a personal trainer, reflecting on a fulfilling career and the importance of proactively addressing physical health.

From TikTok to Television

Garcia’s journey took an unexpected turn after a viral TikTok video garnered attention,leading to offers from reality television shows,including “Love Island.” Encouraged by a friend’s excited endorsement, he accepted the invitation. The season 7 cast of “Love Island USA” featured three athletes,including Garcia,Seeley,and TJ Palma

The common ground in basketball fostered camaraderie among the male contestants,leading to frequent playful challenges and pleasant competition.The experience culminated in the “Love Island” reunion,marking a significant chapter in Garcia’s life. Though his relationship with Iris Kendall ended after the show, Garcia has experienced a surge in popularity, amassing 1.4 million Instagram followers, attending Los Angeles Chargers training camp, and competing in the Big3 celebrity game.

“You know as a kid, it’s like, I wish I could do this for a living,” Garcia said. “Now I get to go and play at the Big3 celebrity game, and I get to go and meet the Chargers and hang out with the guys… So blessed to be able to do all of that, and thankful that I get to do it all.”

Did You Know? The Big3 celebrity game features prominent figures from entertainment and sports competing in a 3-on-3 basketball format.

The Enduring Appeal of Athlete Crossovers

The story of Jose Garcia highlights the increasing trend of athletes transitioning into entertainment and leveraging their platforms for new opportunities. This crossover appeal is driven by athletes’ inherent competitiveness, discipline, and public recognition. The success of athletes in reality television demonstrates the public’s interest in seeing their personalities beyond their athletic achievements.

According to Statista, the sports entertainment market was valued at approximately $62.2 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $82.6 billion by 2028.

What other athletes do you think woudl thrive in the reality TV space? What capabilities do you think are transferable from world-class athletics to a public-facing entertainment career?

Frequently Asked Questions About jose Garcia

• What is Jose Garcia known for? Jose Garcia is a former professional basketball player who gained further recognition as a contestant on “Love Island USA” Season 7.
• Where did Jose Garcia play basketball professionally? Garcia played professionally in Spain and Mexico.
• What caused Jose garcia to retire from basketball? A severe knee injury, specifically a compromised patellar tendon, led to his retirement.
• What is Jose Garcia doing now? After retiring from basketball, Garcia became a personal trainer and has gained popularity on social media.
• Did Jose Garcia and iris Kendall stay together? They are speculated to have broken up after unfollowing each other on Instagram.

Share yoru thoughts on Garcia’s journey in the comments below!

Here are three PAA (People also Ask) related questions, each on a new line, based on the provided text:

From Court to Content: An Unexpected career Pivot

Pepe Garcia’s story is a compelling example of adaptability and leveraging unexpected platforms for career growth. Initially known for his professional basketball career in Spain’s LEB Gold league, and then gaining wider recognition through his appearance on Love Island España, Garcia has successfully transitioned into a thriving career as a content writer, specializing in sports content, lifestyle blogging, and social media marketing. This shift demonstrates the increasing value of transferable skills and the power of personal branding in the digital age. His journey highlights how visibility gained through reality TV can open doors to entirely new professional avenues, particularly within the digital marketing landscape.

The Building Blocks: Skills Transfer from Athlete to Writer

While seemingly disparate, Garcia’s background in professional sports provided a surprisingly solid foundation for a writing career. Several key skills translated directly:

Discipline & Work ethic: The rigorous training and dedication required in basketball instilled a strong work ethic, crucial for meeting content creation deadlines and maintaining consistent output.

Teamwork & Interaction: Basketball is a team sport demanding clear communication. This skill is vital for collaborating with clients, editors, and marketing teams.

Storytelling & Narrative: Every game tells a story. Garcia’s ability to understand and articulate compelling narratives translated well into crafting engaging blog posts, articles, and website copy.

Pressure Management: Performing under pressure on the court prepared him for the fast-paced surroundings of freelance writing and digital content creation.

Analytical Skills: Analyzing game strategies and opponent weaknesses honed his analytical abilities,useful for SEO keyword research and understanding audience demographics.

Leveraging Love Island for brand Building & Content Opportunities

Garcia’s appearance on Love Island España wasn’t just a detour; it was a strategic platform builder. The show provided:

Increased Social Media Following: A substantial increase in followers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (now X) provided a built-in audience for his future content marketing efforts. This audience was particularly receptive to lifestyle content and personal branding.

Enhanced Public Profile: The show raised his overall public profile, making him more visible to potential clients seeking a recognizable face for sponsored content or brand ambassadorships.

Content Creation Practise: Maintaining a social media presence during and after the show provided valuable practice in content creation, video editing, and audience engagement.

Networking Opportunities: Love Island facilitated connections with other influencers, marketing professionals, and potential collaborators.

The Content Writing Journey: Specialization & Services

Garcia didn’t instantly jump into full-time writing. He strategically built his portfolio and skillset. His current services include:

1. Sports Blogging & Article Writing: Leveraging his basketball background,he writes for sports websites,online magazines,and sports blogs,covering topics like basketball news,athlete profiles,and sports analysis.
2. Lifestyle Content Creation: Capitalizing on his Love Island fame, he creates lifestyle blog posts focusing on fitness, fashion, travel, and relationships.
3. Social Media Management & Content: He offers social media marketing services, including content calendars, caption writing, hashtag research, and audience engagement strategies. He focuses on platforms like Instagram marketing, TikTok content, and Facebook advertising.
4. Website Copywriting: He crafts compelling website copy for businesses,focusing on SEO optimization and conversion rate optimization.
5. SEO Content Writing: Garcia understands the importance of search engine optimization (SEO). He utilizes tools like semrush, Ahrefs, and Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords and create SEO-kind content.

Tools & Technologies Employed

To succeed as a modern content writer, Garcia utilizes a range of tools:

Grammarly: For proofreading and ensuring grammatical accuracy.

Google Docs/Microsoft Word: For writing and editing.

Canva: For creating visually appealing graphics for social media and blog posts.

WordPress: for managing and publishing blog content.

SEO Tools (SEMrush,Ahrefs,Google Keyword planner): For keyword research,competitor analysis,and SEO auditing.

Project Management Tools (Trello, Asana): For organizing tasks and managing deadlines.

AI Writing Assistants (Jasper, Copy.ai): Used ethically for brainstorming and overcoming writer’s block, not for generating complete articles.

Case Study: from Basketball Blog to Brand Partnership

One notable success story involved garcia starting a small basketball blog focused on the LEB Gold league. Through consistent,high-quality content and strategic SEO,the blog gained traction. This led to a partnership with a sports apparel brand, where he now creates sponsored content and manages their social media presence. This demonstrates the power of niche content marketing and building authority within a specific field.

Benefits of Garcia’s approach: A Model for Others

Garcia’s transition offers valuable lessons for athletes and reality TV personalities seeking choice careers:

Diversification of Income Streams: Moving beyond a single career path provides financial security.

Leveraging Existing Assets: Utilizing existing skills and platforms (like a social media following) maximizes opportunities.

Personal Branding: Building a strong personal brand increases marketability and attracts clients.

Continuous Learning: Investing in new skills (like SEO and digital marketing) ensures long-term career viability.

* Control Over Career Path: Freelance writing offers adaptability and control over projects and schedule.

Practical Tips for a Similar Transition

For individuals considering a similar career shift, here are some actionable steps:

1. Identify Transferable Skills: Analyze your existing skillset and identify how it can be applied to content writing or digital marketing.
2. build a Portfolio: Create sample blog posts, articles, or social media content to showcase your writing abilities.
3. Network with Industry Professionals: Connect with content writers, editors, and marketing professionals on LinkedIn and other platforms.
4. Invest in Training: Take online courses or workshops to learn SEO, content marketing, and other relevant skills.
5. Start Small: Begin with freelance writing projects on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to gain experience and build your reputation.
6. Focus on a Niche: Specializing in a specific area (like sports writing or lifestyle blogging) can help you stand out from the competition.
7. Be Consistent: Regularly publish high-quality content to attract and engage your audience.