Family and Sports

It won’t take you long to see that I play basketball and that that is my one and only love. It also won’t take you long to figure out that I am in love with all types of sports too. I feel sometimes that my life is centered around practice and workouts which isn't totally a bad thing; it just takes a lot of time. Over the years I have worked hard to succeed in everything I love. My friends have a hard time understanding my commitment to the sport.

There is only one fixation though that stands in first place in my heart other than basketball, which is God. Everything I do is to the best of my ability and also to give the glory to Him. Basketball has been a superglue to my family and I. Whether it’s going on a four hour drive or driving up the road, my family has always been there and has always been there to supporting me the entire way. My dad has been the biggest supporter. Now don’t get me wrong so has my mom, and she has done a wonderful job of making sure I have had everything I would need but my dad is my biggest fan by far.

About a two years ago we were in Birmingham for an AAU tournament. We had three games lined up in a seven hour window with the possibility of a fourth if we won the previous three. We drove down that morning with an hour before our first game. While putting on my jersey I realized I had forgotten my shoes. OH DEAR!!! Dad told me to finish getting ready. So I did as he said, like I always do. About thirty minutes later he returned with a pair of shoes. Throwing them at me, he told me to put them on. I asked him where he got the shoes but he just told me to put them on and play. We won the game and I gave the shoes back to him. He did not realize that I was watching but he gave the shoes to a woman who gave them to her daughter who was also there playing games. I honestly believe that he is the most fantastic dad I could have ever asked for.

I have worked for eleven years to accomplish my goal which is to play college basketball one day. So far my wish of achieving my goal has come true. There are colleges that have shown interest, of course though not without the help of my dad. This would have not been such a reachable goal had I not had my family there behind me every step of the way. I knew that when I started basketball that my family would be an enormous support. One day I hope to pay back the support and dedication that my family has shown me. Though I know it will take a while, I know that it will be worth it.