After reading more about reservation basketball, I have decided if/when I teach in SoDak I will participate in coaching basketball in some shape or form.

Today I went to Cumberland park. It is the outdoor black top in Cleveland Heights. If you have balled here, you have balled with some of the best-and by best I mean the likes of King James himself among other names.

I had coaches warn me about playing there after school when I was young. Because graffiti decorates the benches, cigarette and spliffs litter the ground and the crowd who hangs around is not interested in helping young athletes get into State.

But, this is where every baller went/goes to gain the bumps and bruises, street mentality and swagger that goes hand in hand with streetball.

It was a beautiful sunny Fall day. I shot around by myself. In solitude, physically and mentally. Going into a trance and letting the mechanics of years of basketball playing take over my body. Deep in thought, the ball rolling in on friendly rims and clanking off stiff backboards, this game for me is nothing short of joy.

In that moment I could imagine giving inspiration talks, connecting with student players, the community and even crafting a winning program.

And just playing again.

I think to share in this passion with a community that has grown and come together in spirit around all the aspects of basketball is something I need to do.

My hope would be to take a a team here the Native American Basketball Invitational and win.