God has a plan for me.

I have no better way to describe what is happening in my life these days than to give credit where credit is due.

In the last month and a half, I just happened to meet the designer of the Jordan typeface, just happened to come across and work with Dave Hopla, just happened to get connected with pro basketball player Garfield Blair, just happened to meet my next 1-on-1 opponent (more on this in a later post), just happened to get a call from Nick Anderson and just happened to yesterday morning meet one of the top basketball coaches in America, Kevin Sutton.

I believe in God and I don’t believe that many things just happen.

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As I said I would in my last post, I’ve been at the gym every morning this week working on my free throws.  Working on getting past the mental block I’m currently battling and moving closer to my goal of 100 free throws in a row.

I’d love to report that I’ve pushed past my personal best of 34 makes in a row already, but I haven’t.  Yesterday, I got to 25 and 29 on two separate occasions before I missed.

Making and missing free throws isn’t what today’s post is about though.  Making and missing free throws was merely the vehicle for what is coming next on my journey to face Michael Jordan.

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Yesterday morning, I stood at the line, and just before I let another shot go, four people began making their way across the baseline underneath the basket.  As the ball swished through the net and down to the floor one of the gentlemen in the group, wearing a baseball cap, smiled and said, “I’ve got it!”

As I looked up to thank him, I realized it was non other than Coach Kevin Sutton.

Kevin Sutton

In his 24 years of coaching, both at the collegiate and high school level, Kevin Sutton has coached 13 players that were drafted into the NBA, Europe or WNBA.  He has also coached and developed around 100 players that went on to play college basketball.

Most recently he built Montverde Academy into a National powerhouse, with an amazing 158-31 record, including a National Championship in 2007.

This year Sutton was also named the Head Coach for USA Basketball’s 2011 Junior National Select Team, which featured players like Austin Rivers, Brad Beal, Michael Gilchrist, Anthony Davis and James McAdoo.

He also has worked at numerous prestigious basketball camps including, Michael Jordan Flight School!

I’m On A Journey to Play Michael Jordan

I introduced myself to Coach Sutton and the people he was with and began telling them about my journey to play my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  I told them what I’ve done so far with training and who I’ve played.

After I was done giving them a brief mevsMJ.com overview and explaining how amazing the journey has been thus far, Coach Sutton invited me to come train with him and a select group of individuals that include current college, top tier high school and even the occasional NBA player!

Working with Kevin Sutton

So starting next Tuesday I will begin another journey within this wonderful journey that is mevsMJ.com.

Next week I will begin working with Kevin Sutton!!

I called Coach Sutton Wednesday afternoon to confirm the time and location for next week and asked him how many times I could attend.

He responded, “You can come as often as you like!”

Life Is Amazing, If You Allow It To Be (My 2011 Slogan)

Wonderful, amazing, life changing things are happening at a rapid pace these non-ordinary days.

I’m telling you…Life is Amazing, if you allow it to be!!!

As always, thank you for the continued support and love!

**Do me a huge favor and spread the mevsMJ.com word by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or anything else you like!

Friday night found me sitting on one of many long pine benches that make up a set of bleachers, shoulder to shoulder, about as close as you’d ever want to sit with anyone.  To my left, a client and former Duke grad, his two sons and nephew.   On the other side me was a friend I hadn’t seen in 17 years.  To the front of me a couple of co-workers.   Behind me and throughout the rest of the gymnasium was ENTHUSIASM in all caps!  It was great!

We were there, ESPN was there, and everyone else was there to see the showdown.  It didn’t disappoint.

Did I mention that Friday night I was at a high school basketball game?

I just so happen to live about 40 minutes from Winter Park High School.   Winter Park High School just so happens to have on its roster the number one ranked high school basketball player in the entire country.   That player is Austin Rivers, who just so happens to be the son of former NBA player and current Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

I’ve seen Austin play twice in the past two weeks and while I could write on and on about how he dropped 38 points against the number two team in the country, often against either the #3 or #49 ranked players in the country, and how it was done so inspiringly smooth and rich, I won’t.  I could do that, but that post will come later when I play Austin 1-on-1.   [OK, so I don’t have that game lined up just yet, but if you’re reading this Austin, wanna play? ]

This post isn’t about how great Rivers is and let me tell you, the Duke signee is special (see video of Friday’s game below).

This post is about how a normal Friday evening in a high school gymnasium can bring people together, strengthen relationships new and old and be filled with all the excitement and fun one would ever venture after, for the low price of $10.

Every holiday and event, every birthday and anniversary, has for so many become about the amount spent rather than the value gained.  Hand raised, I admit, I’m part of the hoopla.

Two weeks ago when I went to see Rivers play (just $5) and then again this past Friday, I was reminded that you can still have a lot of fun with friends without having to release dozens of hard earned dead presidents.

If you’re a hoops fan, I encourage you to check out the ESPNU’s player rankings and see if you have a future NBAer playing in a dimly lit gym near you.  Even if you don’t, go see your local high school team play.   Sit close to people you may or may not know, on seats that dream of padding, in a place filled with passion.  It will be a great reminder that return on investment has little to do with the amount invested.

What are your favorite things to do that are light on the wallet, but high on return?

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Austin Rivers Going OFF for 9 in a row Friday Night against #2 St. Patricks! (Video)

Click play, sit back, watch and listen.  Outstanding performance (38 points)!  Amazing atmosphere!

[blip.tv ?posts_id=4660041&dest=-1]

[If you are reading this via email or RSS, the video may not show up, so click here to watch the video.]

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Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page.

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If you’re new to the site, I set out in August 2010 to get a game of 1-on-1 vs. my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  This site is about that journey…through every valley, to every mountain top of triumph!