httpvh://youtu.be/SfN16daQ300

When I began this site with my rather large dream of playing my childhood hero Michael Jordan 1-on-1, back in August of 2010, I knew then that I’d need a lot of help.

I knew I could work on my game and get in the best shape of my life and do all of the things that I could control, but that in the end it would take the HELP of someone else to make my dream come true.

I never thought that when I began this mevsMJ.com journey that I would be placed in a position to HELP someone else’s dream come true, but on Thanksgiving Day, that’s just what happened.

Just as I was getting ready to head over to my parents to enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities, I received the following email from a young man sharing his dream with me.

Hello,

I just found your website mevsMJ.com.  What a great idea and website! You are an inspiration for me. I also am a big fan of Eric Griffin from Campbell University and I saw that you interviewed him. He is a great dunker and a great all around player. Do you know how I might get in touch with him? Maybe you have his email or phone number? I’ve been a Campbell University fan my entire life. I’m 13 years old and I’ve loved them my whole life cuz my favorite uncle went there for college and I want to go there too. I just want to tell Eric how much I like watching him play basketball. Maybe one day I can play at Campbell too.

Thank you for your great website and for any help you might offer to get in touch with Eric Griffin. 

Sincerely,

Adam Thompson

Me and Eric Griffin

If I think about how I met Eric Griffin and now perhaps why I met him, it makes me appreciate this amazing walk of mine so much more!

Shooting alone in an empty gym one morning back in May, I met Coach Kevin Sutton.  We talked about my journey to play MJ and within minutes Coach Sutton, one of the kindest men I’ve met, was inviting me for an informal workout with a group of high level ball players, so that I could better my game.

I went to the first workout and as fate would have it, was paired with Campbell University’s high flying Eric Griffin.  Through the some two-hour session, we did ball handling drills, shooting drills, and so on with one another.

Eric impressed me with who he was as a person, as much as he did with his sick basketball game, so when I came up with the idea of 23 Questions, a sort of informal interview that would allow some insight into the lives of the best basketball players I knew, I thought immediately of Eric.

Now some seven months from when Eric and I initially met, the reason for our meeting, came to light in an email from a young man, just 13 years of age.

Thanksgiving Day Dreams

When I got Adam’s email I was immediately almost overwhelmed with emotions, because I know what it was like to send an email filled with hope.  I’ve sent tons of them during this journey.  Too many to count at this point.

Most people I’ve reached out to, never respond.  Some brush me off with a less than half hearted response and then no longer reply when I kindly continue to pursue their assistance.  Others have cast their negative views on my walk, missing the whole point along the way.

I’ve always done my best to quickly shake my head free of the hurt and push forward, but honestly at times it’s been tough.

So when I received Adam’s email, I spent a good period of time at Thanksgiving dinner working on making his dream come true.

Because I knew I could!

“I would love to!”

Between the love filled food and family stories at Thanksgiving dinner, I sent Eric Griffin a message telling him that I had just received the coolest email from a young man that was a big fan of his.  I went on with how it would be amazing if it turns out that Adam is local to set something up so that he could meet him!

It took Eric less than a minute to reply with, “I would love to!”

I told him great and then forwarded him Adam’s email so that he could read it for himself.

Adam’s Dream Comes True

Less than 24 hours from Adam’s initial email to me I received another email from him:

Hello Kenny,

Thank you so much! I got email from Eric! WOW!!!!! Best present I got in a long time! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Eric asked about coming to his game and my mom says maybe later in season. WOW!!! I am trying to do interview with Eric for school cuz I have homework to interview someone who works in the job I want when I grow up. Thank you Kenny. I hope you play Michael Jordan!

Sincerely,

Adam Thompson

Dreams Do Come True!

So I’m going into the 16^th month of mevsMJ.com and while my dream of playing MJ still hasn’t come true, it’s the best feeling in the world to play a part in helping someone else’s dream come true!

I’d like to give HUGE SHOUT OUT and THANKS to my man Eric Griffin (@The21Story) for being so kind and willing to take the time to impact someone’s life in such an amazing way!

Adam closed his email to me fittingly, filled with hope.  I too hope I get to play Michael Jordan one day soon, but until then, helping Adam is just fine with me!

me vs. MJ…the dream filled journey continues!  As always, thank you for following along!

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

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More on Eric Griffin

Through the first six games (5-1) of the season, Eric Griffin leads the Fighting Camels of Campbell University in almost every category, averaging 21.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks, while shooting a staggering 74% from the field and 60% from three point land.

On top of all of that, he can now add something even more important to his statistics, making one dream come true!  A class act for sure!

We all have the ability to impact others in a way that could very well change the course of how they approach life!  On this day, the dreamer who took action in the form of an email wins!  Eric and I have won as well!  Go get your dreams!

Coach Kevin Sutton, in a kind, yet authortative tone instructed, “Alright guys, partner up!”

It was my first workout with the group and on this cool spring night in May, I just so happened to get paired up with 6’8″ 215 pound Eric Griffin.

With his height and long arms that stretch into tomorrow, I expected Griffin to be strictly a post player.  Fifteen years ago I’m sure that’s exactly where some coach would have placed him.  All I can say is, I’m glad it’s not fifteen years ago!

During the workout, I was amazed at Griffin’s ball skills and his ability to shoot the rock.  He literally takes jump shots from three point land!  I’m talking a couple of feet off the ground JUMP SHOTS!

It’s one thing for a 6’2″ guy like myself to do that, but when you’re 6’8″, well you can understand how and why Eric Griffin took Campbell University by storm last year!

Transferring in from the community college level, Eric averaged 13.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting over 50% from the field, for the Fighting Camels.  In February of last year, he was named Atlantic Sun Conference’s newcomer of the week (see video below) with a stat line (22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists) that’ll make any basketball fan say damn!

What’s just as amazing as Eric leading Campbell in points, rebounds and blocks last season, is that this, his senior season at Campbell, will be just Eric’s fifth year of organized hoops!  That’s right, the guy swatting shots, raining three’s and thumping dunks on foolish defenders, played just one year of high school basketball at Boone, in Orlando, Florida.

As good as Griffin is right now, logic has everyone wondering just how good can he be?  That’s a question Eric Griffin wants to find the answer to as well, which isn’t great news for opponents!

Without further ado, here is 23 questions with Campbell University’s Eric Griffin!

23 Questions With Campbell University’s Eric Griffin:

1.  What sparked your interest in basketball?

Eric Griffin:  About the age of 8 watching the Orlando Magic, I fell in love with the game.

2.  What’s your jersey number and why do you wear it?

EG:  #21, my pastor blessed me with this number.

3.  Do you have a nickname?

EG:  E-money.

4.  Favorite Food?

EG:  Hot Wings.

5.  Hidden Talent (Something you’re good at that most don’t know about)?

EG:  I know how to Rap lol….

6.  Something you’re surprisingly really bad at?

EG:  Cooking.

7.  Favorite Musician/Group?

EG:  Lil Wayne/One-way Boys.

8.  Proudest moment as a basketball player thus far?

EG:  This year made six three points in one game, made player of the week, and ended the game with 27pts.

9.  If you didn’t play basketball, what else would you enjoy doing?

EG:  That’s a really good question.  I love the game of basketball so much can’t really see myself doing anything else.

10.  What advice would you have for someone looking to achieve your level of success on the court?

EG:  Work hard, never let your goals fall behind, play every game like it’s your last and keep faith in God.

11.  Who are your role model(s)?

EG:  Mom and Grandmother.

12. What is your earliest basketball memory?

EG:  First year playing basketball, my 12^th grade year, making the basketball team.

13.  Twitter or Facebook?

EG:  Twitter (@MRCU21)

14.  If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?

EG:  Kevin Durant

15.  What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

EG:  I don’t have a specific pair.  Any shoes will work.

16.  Favorite pre-game meal?

EG:  P&J lol…..

17.  Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

EG:  A good old Nap.

18.  What motivates you?

EG:  My mom.  Seeing her smile.

19.  During an average week, how often do you play basketball and or do something related to basketball like conditioning?

EG:  Every morning I start with a run and end the day with a good workout.

EG:  Making it to the NBA and supporting my family.

21.  How do you think you would fair today against MJ 1-on-1?

EG:  Go Kobe lol….

22.  How do you think you would do against Jordan in his prime?

EG:  Jordan was the man in his prime.   It would be a good game.

23.  Any advice for me for WHEN I play Jordan?

EG:  Do your best and don’t let him win!

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Thank You Eric Griffin!!!

I want to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Eric Griffin for taking a few minutes away from his training and school work to be a part of the journey that is mevsMJ.com!

All the best to you this upcoming season!

You can follow Eric Griffin senior season on Twitter @MRCU21! 

Video of Campbell University’s Eric Griffin:

httpvh://youtu.be/y5rszOSzxk4

Eric Griffin with one of the SICKEST DUNKS you will EVER see!

httpvh://youtu.be/SfN16daQ300

Me vs. Eric Griffin???

For inquiring minds, yes I will match-up with Eric after the season when he makes his way back to Orlando!

Until then, I’ll keep working on my game in preparation for my upcoming opponents and ultimately, Michael Jordan!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!