My favorite leisure activity is playing basketball, watching movies, reading, and really anything to do with basketball. I am a passionate basketball player. A basketball court is where I feel most comfortable, and it is the one place on earth I can lead, assist and direct other people with some things that I am the most familiar with. My favorite time and place is the beach and the court, anywhere and anytime. I prefer indoor courts, although it can be played outdoors, my allergies often prohibit outdoor play. I remember being asked by my mother if I wanted to be a cheerleader or play basketball, in the first grade. As I reflected I replied basketball, because some of my past time as a youth was watching my older relatives play basketball against each other in my grandparents yard. I then began to motivate and push myself to perfect that game and strive to have the ability to be better than they appeared to be. Watching them play, they all appeared to be huge, and unstoppable guys. I chased the ball and all I could do was hold it and protect it from the big guys. As a result, today I have offensive skills and very strong defensive skills. As a single parent my mom placed me on an affordable program, the city of Raleigh recreational team, again I was in the first grade and a 7-years old little girl, The team I was placed on had one other girl and 8 boys. Coach Cryer decided to keep me involved by teaching me to be a point guard, setting screens, dribbling the ball down the court, and calling the one play he taught us (Fist). These aspects had taken many of our opponents by storm. Many thought we were too young to do so many things. My mom purchased shorts to match our rec tees. We were all uniformed and ready to play. The boys were never able to get past my defensive screens and as my family cheered me on I knew I was doing things correct. My mom placed a basketball goal in her living room, so this was my first time ever shooting and dunking a basketball. I will never forget that the first shot I ever took was not perfect, not even the backboard, I was too little. The adults had to pick me up and allow me to drop the ball into the basket, swish! I was happy but I knew that wasn't going to last always, I had to perfect this game with the tools available. It felt amazing, to train with my uncle Tony Maddox on the weekends as he began coaching/teaching me for the next eight years. During his training and leading us to multiple undefeated championships he often would say "you have to make yourself", and "make a decision". I began pushing myself to be a better player defensively and offensively. After perfecting things he had to remind me that there were other member of my team that I had to train and keep involved in the game. With that being said I had to decide when to make a smart decision, wheither or not to pass to an open player or take an open shot. This meant teamwork! As far as maintaining my personal identity or personal relationships, someone else’s understanding or even appreciation of basketball isn’t all that important to me. I learned a long time ago that very few people are going to have the passion for this game that I do, or even understand half of the things that I see (and I’m well aware of how much a novice I truly am compared to actual basketball experts) when I watch a basketball game. I’ve always understood that in this area, for the most part, I am not alone. When I play basketball, I feel great and I am confident that I can play with who people consider the best of players. When I do good things on the court, I know it’s because I can be at ease and relaxed. As I said earlier, it’s the one place on earth where I am in my element. I don’t worry about school, or family, or problems. I think about whats in front of me, and how I can get the basketball in the hoop and stop opponents from scoring. My obsession with basketball is not strange or common. I don’t fit the requirement or any of the stereotypes of people who fall into the line of work involving basketball. I am a medium build, African American female standing 5'7 and was placed on a watch list in the 6th grade. As I’ve gotten older, I’m thankful that I’ve never gotten over this “phase”, as some thought I would. I am going to pursue a degree in architecture and engineering with which I hope to work basketball in at some capacity. Playing, watching, and reading about basketball fills me with a sense of enjoyment that I truly do feel that very few people can match. Jireh Reid