A SCOUT'S PERSPECTIVE - OBSERVATIONS & RUMINATIONS

Who is Anthony Robles? If you didn't watch the ESPYs you probably don't have a clue.  I don't do sports awards shows, but I was lucky to catch a replay of Anthony Robles being awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Anthony's story was pure inspiration and it touched me to the core. The video that introduced Anthony's story and his accomplishments to the audience was outstanding, but his speech was even better. Take 6 minutes & 36 seconds of your life to soak in his story and it will be a part of your consciousness for the rest of your life. I made a point of showing Anthony's video to my 16 year old daughter and 11 year old son. My daughter gets mad at me because I tell her that she plays at sports and doesn't understand the commitment one must have to be really good at a sport. I said five words to my children before showing them the video: THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES! When I was 12 years old my sister gave me a poster with a poem by Calvin...

I wrote this note to a 9th grade basketball player in 1998. Attended one of his practices and then gave it to him.  I've shared it with a few other people and have read parts of the letter at a few basketball clinics. I hope you're enriched by reading this note and will pass it on to a young baller if you think they can gain insight from it. NOTE TO A YOUNG BASKETBALL PLAYER I enjoyed watching your gym class (a.k.a. BB Practice) on Friday. Your coach appears to have a sound understanding of the game and the teaching ability to impart his philosophy of the game to his players. I know he is high on you. You have the great moniker called potential attached to your name. My favorite definition for potential is excellence unrealized, and it can stay unrealized if the individual does not have the passion, intelligence, persistence, and determination to exceed the expectations/goals that one sets for his/herself. My sister gave me a poster with the following quote on it when I wa...