I will be honest; I never won any trophies for being the best player or the best worker in class, as like the many other young people in their school days. I never had a hidden talent or skill that could be mastered for excellence, which can be quite frustrating though as a young person who wanted to be great at something. I think many children these days see the talented sports people, singers, writers, actors and say that looks great but really don’t have the belief or ability to get there.
Even my favourite sport Basketball, I rarely got on the team in High School because I was too small and just didn’t quite cut it. I was seen as someone who didn’t have the ability to play the game despite my work rate and enthusiasm, just not the right look for a Basketball player I guess. For one thing I wore the biggest glasses you could purchase back in my school days so that probably never helped gain the trust of a coach that I had what it takes. I remember some of my friends being in the team telling the coach I wanted to play. The coach said I could play in an upcoming friendly high school tournament and I was pretty excited and nervous at the same time, but knew I needed to take this chance. We were playing the host school and in one offensive play I got the ball, rotated on one foot and no one was marking me. So it was just me and the net, took the shot and made it. That was a real moment of triumph for me, not a team triumph perhaps because we were probably losing anyway but that was a statement saying I can play, I can do it! Coach congratulated me on the basket and from then on I knew it was possible to become better.
So it’s not like my career in Basketball took off but college was around the corner and the guys where only getting bigger, faster and tougher. The first year I failed to make the team, which was again another rejection that hurt like every other one but I worked hard during that year with a set of coaches who were formerly part of the Brighton Bears Basketball Club, a very successful team in its years within the British Basketball League. I went to these Basketball sessions every Saturday for three hours and picked up a lot from these experienced coaches. I got equipped in how to play the game and went to a couple of the holiday camps they did to. The year went by and I trialled for the College team again, I felt I impressed the coach at the time and later on found out I got picked to be in the squad. It was a great feeling after all the work and practice I put in. Through the guidance and coaching I got I was a much better player, sometimes someone needs to focus your enthusiasm and work rate so you can become more effective. I may have not been the best player by a long way but I did feel great, greatness felt attainable.
In the bible it talks about the importance of strong foundations laid so great things can be done:
I feel my foundations were set when I got given the right guidance by my coaches and the support of my Dad throughout was also very important that I will go into on a future blog. I kept working hard and taught how to play the game correctly through the learning the fundamentals well and that’s what made me a better player. Not only did Basketball give me skills to use on the court but to use off it to, it can build the three C’s courage, confidence and communication, all very important on the court and whatever else you may choose to pursue in life. William Arthur Ward said ‘We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them or build with them’. So the obstacles put in our way or the rejections that we face can be used to make or break you.
What is it you want to pursue?
What obstacles get in your way?
Do you find yourself complaining about them or doing something about it?
What do you think God can do through a setback in your life?
The next blog we will start building our tower, the foundations first of course. These include attitude, friendship, faith and values. Tweet @xoverbasketball to give me answers to the questions I have included above. Look forward to seeing you next time and let’s pursue greatness together….
