I had just realized a dream of mine by testing my skills against my first active NBA player, something that when I reflect on where I started with this journey, seems rather surreal.
Rodney on the other hand, a little over a month ago, finished his rookie season in the NBA and finished it strong, being named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April.
Sitting near the end of the wooden bleacher just off to the side of the court, he turned to me after our game with effort still apparent on his shirt and brow, and implored, “We’ve got to stop lying. We’ve got the tell the truth. It’s the only way that we can truly help people.”
The sincerity and urgency of the words that former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson shared, swept over me and the rest of the gymnasium.
Before our third game of 1-on-1 Saturday afternoon, former NBA great Chucky Atkins told me, “My goal is to hold you under 6 points this game.” I replied, “My goal is to get 15,” to which he shot back with one eyebrow raised, “Well, that’s not gonna happen!”
I handed him the ball, crouched down on defense and said, “You gotta dream big!”
Since the day I began really playing basketball, some 23 years ago, I’ve dreamed of walking onto a basketball court, lacing up my Jordans and matching up against one of the World’s best – an NBA Player. On Friday, January 17th, that lifelong Dream came true when I went head-to-head with NBA Champion, DeShawn Stevenson! … Read more
This past Tuesday, I made my way over to the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando to play DJ Ferguson, the starting point guard of the IBL’s Orlando Venom.
Up 8-1 in game two of our 1-on-1 match-up, I looked into the eyes of professional hoopster Andy Gebru and saw no doubt. In games which the majority expects me to lose, the pressure is always on the pro to perform and ultimately to win. Yet down substantially in a game to just 15 points, Andy … Read more
He faked right, crossed over left, lowered his shoulder and exploded to the rim. It was game point, in game number three this past Sunday and Robert Brown, one of the top basketball players in the country (#80 by ESPN/#54 by Bob Gibbons), was about to freeze the gym. Just one long stride past me … Read more
What do you do against a guy who was an all-conference player in college at Fayetteville State University? What do you do against a guy who dropped close to 200 three pointers in his three years there and averaged over 16 points per game? What do you do against a guy who is so good … Read more
With my fingertips still emitting small flames from being on FIRE the previous two games of 1-on-1 against my brother, I got down in my defensive stance and began preparing for the unexpected. I had just won two games against him handedly and was extremely tired, but this was not the time to rest. This … Read more
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan I read that quote a few hours before I slid my Jordans on and took on my next 1-on-1 opponent, Jamaican National Team Starting Shooting Guard, Garfield Blair. Garfield Blair (The Player) In July of last year Blair averaged over … Read more
“How many do you think I’ll score?”, was the text message I sent to my next 1-on-1 opponent. “Maybe about 5 or 6,” was Garfield Blair’s response. What started as a slight smile across my face grew into a full out laugh as I read his message. I wasn’t laughing at what Blair, the 6 … Read more
I thought it might take another 3-4 weeks, but it won’t. I’M BACK! Wednesday morning, exactly 8 weeks following the injury that has kept me from doing any activity, I made my comeback with a 1-on-1 rematch against Virginia Tech signee and one of ESPN’s Top 100 players, Robert Brown (see our first match-up here). Keep … Read more
One of the great things about this journey of mine has been the help I’ve received from others. As I’m preparing for my match-up with the great Michael Jordan, my brother and some friends from high school have begun playing again too. It’s been a huge help in getting back in basketball shape. A month … Read more
In an effort to get in the best possible condition for my upcoming (gotta believe!) one-on-one battle with Michael Jordan, I’m focusing more of my time on one-on-one competition.