My Life Playing Basketball

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When you look at a basketball what do you see? Most would see an orange, sphere, shaped rubber ball. There are black lines and real leather. If you look closer, you would even see the size of the ball in which you are playing with. A basketball could be just a toy for many, or even represent a release for others, but for me, it means a lot more. A basketball represents my blood, sweat, tears, passion, sacrifice, and most of all, a sense of belonging, like a family. At this moment in my life, there are only three things I devote my life to- family, friends, and basketball. Basketball has shaped my life probably more than anything else. Basketball has instilled in me a vicious will to achieve and embrace my ambitions instead of fearing them. Basketball gave me an open opportunity to try something new. New opportunities and experiences are not such a big deal anymore. From academics to personal matters, the lessons that I have learned from basketball has impacted my life.

The first thing that a basketball represents, for me, is change. Growing up I was a rebel. I never did anything I was supposed or asked to do. I made it a point to rebel against my parents, teachers, and siblings. My parents had no idea where this behavior had come from or how it could be stopped. I was often punished for this behavior that started when I was around the age of 9. My parents thought I had an evil spirit inside of me and soon lost all anticipation. Then there was hope. A basketball coach from A.B.Miller high school saw me and my family at Wal-Mart, and asked for me to be placed on this team. He knew...

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...idered a "clutch" player, one to do well in high pressure situations, so when I don't succeed, or hold up to ones expectations as well as everyone thought I would, it is disappointing.

A basketball represents my life. Basketball has been my life. That's all I have known since my first days of high school and it is and will continue to be the most important thing to me through college. Sometimes though when you've done something for so long, it's healthy to get away so you can find that spark again, that fire, that love as to why you started a passion for the sport in the first place, but I am just getting started. It has taken me places I thought I would never go, and I am hoping it continues to do so.

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