One young man I think being a part of what we had at Xavier that made a lot in terms of his life was Avery Johnson who is now the coach of the Dallas Mavericks. He was my ball boy at Xavier and he got an unbelievable amount of knowledge from watching a guy named Alvin Dukes play in terms of his style.  The thing about Avery is his desire to be good at what he did and he got along with people so well.  When I watch him coach, I can tell those same things he is reiterating to his players that are making them better people. Watching that growth and success has meant so much to a lot of people including myself.  There have been a lot of players from New Orleans who have gone on to become real solid individuals, done great things and not only helped teammates but also helped people in general. And those are the things that I like to see.

Basketball has played a major roll for me in a post-Katrina environment. It is just my way of being able to give back. To be able to see a kid grow. It has been my foundation. It has allowed me to teach being able to make a difference and look up to you. Being a positive role model for other kids. Just seeing these kids become successful is enough for me, to have these kids become better people will get me through this year. It has been tough here, I’m not going to lie about it. Its been real tough, I never would have expected to come into a situation like this where kids have so many problems and they express it in a way you would never imagine. From outright doing things a kid normally wouldn’t do, but because of that frustration inside them, it’s so important for coaches to realize they can help these kids. Katrina brought out the worst in people.

I got a late start playing ball; I started in 7th grade at St. Monica. Growing up in a project area, where there are so many athletes, who don’t wind up going to school because they don’t want to, they want to be what you consider the bad guys, and don’t realize the potential they have helped me realize how important it was for me to be successful in basketball. I also had older guys who looked out for growing up, who told me stick with that basketball, don’t get caught out here, they kept me sticking with basketball. And that doesn’t exist out here today and that’s why it’s so important for coaches today to tell kids these things. 

I honor the game with a prayer that I have been saying with my team before games since I started coaching. I know if it wasn’t for God we wouldn’t be where we are:

“The confidence in God, by myself I can do nothing, with God I can do everything, for the love of God I want to do all things, for God, thee honor me heaven, lord keepeth me from both harm and injury, we play this game for the glory and honor of youth, oh, Lord, Amen.”

Interview by Will Steacy

All photos courtesy of -Wyatt Gallery
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