Uniquely positioned within the suburbs of Chicago, I found myself mesmerized. Inside, three full courts run parallel to each other, with two other goals stationed at the north end. The floor is immaculate, brighter than the sun itself.

There he was, shirtless, and working on his silky smooth jump shoot. Some have already written him off as the NBA’s next great white hype, while others believe he’s exactly what squads around the league want.

The gym clears out minutes later, and we’re all alone in this expensive room, our voices nearly echoing. I notice a tattoo across his chest which says “Onl

“With all your gifts, you still have a lot of doubters, do you think it’s because your skin colour separates you from 95% of all pro balers?” I asked him. “Funny you ask. It seems like that question comes up every time I do an interview. I think it does to a certain degree, but I think some people just like to go against the grain and nitpick.”

By his third year, he was still labeled as a “bust” because he wasn’t progressing along as the team had hopped. My colleague talked to him when he was experiencing the rough patch in his life, and told me that by talking to him, you could never tell. He said that he had never seen a kid with that kind of confidence and pride about him. As soon as I heard that back then, I knew the kid would be just fine.

y God can judge me”, and question the meaning of it. I disregard it for a second, and start talking to the 17 year old spectacle. I start by asking him what he thinks of all the hype he’s been getting. Nike and Adidas are throwing money at their potential investment, and NBA officials are already making him the number 1 pick in next year’s draft. “Man, the media has been (explicit) crazy around here; I can’t walk out the

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Nike Adidas, , start talking,