Everyone was trying to get inside the gym. The sound of basketball shoes pressed up against the hard wood floor of the court. It was packed with people all the way to its maximum occupancy and more. This is going to be a game that everyone would remember. Jaylen Love was a teenage boy who is going to play the greatest game of his entire life. This is his moment to finally prove to everyone what he is made off, now’s the time, “Let’s go team!”

Jaylen a 16 year old junior playing as a benchwarmer for Tre Star High School’s Junior Varsity basketball team. He only knew the fundamentals of basketball but to his disadvantage was the shortest player on his team at 5’4’’, the tallest player on the JV squad was 6’8”. But that did not stop Jaylen from playing the game he loves.

He approached his coach after practice out of breath.
“Coach I believe I have what it takes to give us that win tomorrow.” Said Jaylen.
“What are you going to offer me at the game?” Said his coach.
“Points! I can dribble and shoot and I can give us a huge lead.” Jaylen replied with excitement.
“If you can make 10 free throws in a row, I will give you a spot on the team.” His coach answered back.
So Jaylen went to the free throw line and took a deep breath. “Swish” the ball goes in. He went ten for ten a perfect record. His coach was impressed. “Alright so your shooting looks good, how about you’re passing?” His coach asked in a curious tone. “Passing? Haven’t really practiced passing coach.” Jaylen replied with confusion. “I want you to hit my chest every time you pass the ball, got it?” his coach ordered. “Uhhh Yes coach” with uncertainty. Jaylen could not pass to his coach’s chest, and his coach said “basketball is not just about shooting Jaylen, you have to understand it’s a team sport, and unless you can prove to me that you can pass not just shoot, then I will not let you play in tomorrow’s game.”
He went home unsure what to do; ball hogging was the basketball Jaylen knew. He went back home confused. So he decided to talk to his dad hoping to find the answer. He looks to find his dad watching basketball and approaches him. His dad turns off the television as he begins to talk with his son.
“Dad, can you teach me how to pass?”
“I don’t see why you would need to pass the ball son, basketball is all about points, and no one cares about assists.” His dad answers positive that he is correct.
“But coach said if I want to play in the game, I have to learn to pass the ball, can you help me?”
“Listen son, it doesn’t matter, you don’t need to pass just shoot” His dad replied
“But dad, coach said basketball is a team sport, everyone must work together.” Said Jaylen.
“Listen son, nobody cares about assists, I want you to shoot the ball.” His dad refuted.
“NO, please help me dad, please stop being so stubborn!” Jaylen started yelling.
“Shoot the ball and that’s it you’ll be fine.” His dad replied.
“DAD please!” Jaylen begged.
After a series of back and forth conversations of constant yelling, his dad finally compromises and agrees to help out Jaylen.
“Let’s head outside now before it gets dark son.”

The two of them start walking to their backyard dribbling the ball. His dad thought in his head “could it be possible for Jaylen to learn everything in a night?” Jaylen’s dad starts talking about the fundamentals of passing since he already knows how to dribble and shoot. “You need to step into the pass.” His dad explains to Jaylen. They practice and practice, and finally his pass aims straight towards his dad’s chest. “That was a good pass son, you got the basics not lets go for the advanced stuff.” Jaylen and his dad worked on other kinds of passes that Jaylen could add to his new artillery. By the end of the night Jaylen was able to do no looks, bounces, lobs, between the legs, and even behind the back. After a good five hours of non-stop passing it was already 10 and his mother had called in his dad and Jaylen for dinner. After dinner Jaylen went straight to sleep hoping to get enough sleep before the game.

Jaylen woke up at seven, four hours before the actual game. It gave him enough time to get ready and work on his skills. When he opened the door, he could only hear the creaking of the hardwood floor with every step he took. That didn’t stop Jaylen from practicing though. He first started with conditioning, doing 10 suicides like he always does, then moved on to dribbling; behind the back, between the legs, crossovers, and more. After dribbling he worked on his shooting; lay ups, free throws, mid-range, and beyond the arc which was 3 point range. Finally he decided to work on passing. He worked on behind the back, between the legs, over the head, one handed, and even no look passes. After two hours of practicing he hears someone clapping behind him from across the court and to his surprise it was his coach. “Why are you here so early Jaylen? You should be getting rest.” his coach asked. “Well it’s because I love basketball and I always come early to improve.” Jaylen answered. “Have you worked on what I told you?” His coach asks. He answers “yes coach check this out.” Jaylen passes the ball behind his back to his coach and it hits his chest. “Wow that was really good Jaylen, you have really improved, you want this starting spot badly?” His coach said unexpectedly. “Well I just want some playing time not necessarily a starting role.” replies Jaylen. “Congratulations son, you earned a spot in today’s game, continuing practicing and get ready for the game in one hour, I’ll see you on the court boy.” His coach tells him with joy. “Thanks coach, I won’t disappoint.” He answers with excitement. Jaylen walks into the locker room to get ready. When he enters the court with his team, he’s ready. His teammate passes the ball to Jaylen, and he takes one dribble, one jump stop, one shot and from that moment, he and everyone in the gym knew that was the start of Jaylen’s basketball career.