3) Basketball

Basketball is my all-time favorite sport. I love to play it, and I love to watch it. It intrigues me on a deep level. The thrill of outclassing your opponents and scoring in their face is priceless. The joy of being able to launch the basketball into the hoop with accuracy and precision is unmatched.

           

I first started playing basketball when I was approximately 5. My dad would go to the community center over lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays to play basketball with a group of guys. I wanted the opportunity to spend some time with him, so I would go. Being a short, weak, little kid meant I wasn’t particularly adept at shooting or dribbling the first time I ever tried. My dad would place me literally right under the backboard and instruct me to aim for a specific spot on the backboard. At first, I couldn’t even get it to the rim, but as I grew stronger and became more familiar with the basketball, I began to make my shots. Fast forward a few years, and I was still shorter than anyone my age. In order to account for the height difference, I naturally inched farther away from the defender and thus the hoop. Between the ages of 8-10, I was THE 3-point shooter. Probably the best in the area for my age group.

           

I was a part of the Midland Community Center League. Each year kids would get assigned to different teams. One particular year, our coaches instructed us not to shoot any threes, especially in a game. I did what any good, rule-following kid would do when the coaches told him to do something – I launched three-pointers like nobody’s business. Our first game, I took two steps back from the three-point line and shot the ball as hard as I could. As the ball arched towards the basket, my coaches exclaimed, “Jefferson, why did you shoot that?!” I turned from the basket and walked to the other side of the court. Meanwhile, my shot went in. Pretty thug, right? Needless to say, I was allowed to shoot threes from then on.

           

Continue fast-forwarding to my high school years, and I was still short for my age. I still shot threes 60% of the time. Sadly, I had gotten bigger, stronger, and taller which threw off my boyish Steph Curry-like shot. I was not skilled enough to play for a public school, so I applied to a local private school as a part-time student in order to try out for their team. There was no guarantee I would make the team, but I figured I had a decent chance. Sophomore year I tried out, and my coach said, “You were the last person to make the team.” I was relieved. But the difference between being the sharpshooter in elementary and middle school days versus my high school days was quite large. I was a benchwarmer throughout high school, occasionally starting the game my Senior year. I had some pretty good breakout games my senior year, though. I scored 14 points in one game where we won by one point. I stopped their best player from making the game-winning layup, while simultaneously grabbing the rebound (remember that I’m short?). That was my best game. Other games, I had several turnovers which equals time on the bench. I went back and forth. And continued going back and forth. AND continued going back forth. I wasn’t a star, but I didn’t suck like a vacuum.

           

I still play a couple of times a week with some guys I know. If you know the NBA, I’m similar to J.R. Smith. I’m a streaky shooter. I have games where I can’t miss! I could launch it from half court, no problemo. Other games, I shoot brick after brick after brick…

           

I am an average basketball player, or in other words – extra ordinary.