Chapter I: Leading The Pride
The 2021 season took off to a strong start and all was going well for us. We sat in 6th with a 6-1 record in the conference, which was great giving the early spaced out games in the schedule. Others were already hitting 10 games and more, so I knew our time was coming for that hectic portion. Nevertheless, we were looking strong to end the year. Last night's game against Colgate was crazy. Way too close for comfort as we barely got by. But you know, all thanks to me, no collars need to be popped. Unfortunately, last night didn't go without a hitch though. Lost one of our starters, Sam Sessoms. As I was about to see him before heading off campus, Coach gave me a call to meet him at his office.
"Hey Coach, you said you wanted to see me?"
"Yeah, come on in. How you doing, Marion?"
"I'm good, I'm good. I was about to head over and check up on Sam, see how he's holding up. Any word on his injury? How long he'll be out?"
"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, take a seat."
"Aight, okay", I said as I sat before Coach's desk. "What's the word?"
"So, we got no good news about Sessoms' update. He ruptured his Achilles, so basically, he's done for the season."
"Damn, that's tough. Senior year too? Bad way to go out."
"Yeah, I agree. He's one of our best three-point shooters, and I hate to see his utility go to waste. That being said, I talked with the other starters. Took a gander who they had chemistry with. All favors points to you, freshman."
"Hm, really? I-I mean, yeah, of course! Come on, it's me baby, I'm all about that chemistry. You see how good we look when I'm out there with them."
"Let's not get full of ourselves here, shall we?" Coach sternly put it. "I won't lie, you definitely got some shine to you and we can't waste that on the bench. These past few games, you were making it hard for us to reason why you're coming off the bench."
"Hey, I get it. I'm the new guy here, I'm literally the only freshman on the team. I know I have to pay my dues". (And now that I thought about it, being the only freshman here was big pressure.)
"Yeah, well, consider your dues paid up. With Sessoms now out, you'll be starting for the remainder of the season, providing you stay healthy. Can you handle it?"
"Absolutely. You're sitting before the next biggest athlete since LeBron James. I'm more than just a shine you speak of, I'm a bonafide star to be realized. So yes, I can handle it."
"...Geez, are you always this full of your-self?"
"No, I'm full of talent, hard work, determination, dedication, and self-belief. If I can't fully invest in that, nobody else will. I got dreams of being a bigger athlete than anyone has ever been. I'm not one to take failure as an answer, only as a obstacle to overcome". I tilt over to reach in my back pocket for my wallet, taking out a piece of paper, handing it over to Coach Shrewsberry. "Take a read of that..."
"...... Okay, but you keep a printed tweet of a reporter talking about you?" Coach asked curiously.
"No, I keep a reminder, printed. Max Kellerman doubted me, and all it takes is one person to "print" that same doubt in others. So I keep that, as a reminder, to be the one that "prints" the exact opposite into others... But sure, some won't like me, some will always think negative about me, or whatever. But I know one thing they'll never say about me. When my story is all said and done, you'll never hear anyone say, "Hakeem Marion is not the greatest of all basketball... I want my documentary to have a documentary, about a documentary that documented me. And that makes absolutely no sense, but that's how great I want to be!.. I want to be that guy. I want to be the man. I want to be... Him..."
Coach sits quiet momentarily with a straight stare. "... I get it, just put a cap on your little promo there."
"Come on, man, I was in the moment!" I busted out laughing while he shook his head in disbelief.
"You really think that much of your-self, huh kid?"
"Yes sir, I do. I'm my biggest fan, supporter, investor, and believer."
"Alright, well, you dream big, but if you can't land on the moon, land amongst the stars."
"Thank you, Coach, I appreciate that, I don't plan on doing anything less."
"So, next week is free. Heading home to spend time with family?"
"That was the plan, honestly, but I think I'ma just kick it here. It's my first year, I still haven't gotten to see all the places yet. Figure I see the boys then snoop around, get some work done."
"Alright, you just keep that nose of yours clean, stay out of trouble." I'll see you next Saturday for practice."
"First one to arrive, last to leave. See you, Coach."
I made my way out the Coach's office and headed down the corridor, seeing Jalen and Seth just reaching the exit. I picked up my pace to catch their attention before they left.
"Yo! Hold up!"
"Yo, what's up 'Keem, where you coming from?"
"I just came from seeing Coach, y'all heading out?"
"Nah, we going to kick it with Sammy for a bit, you coming?"
"Yeah, yeah, I was making my way there before Coach gave me a call."
"I can take a guess at that" Seth interjected. "He gave you that starting job."
"Yep. Head you boys put the good word in for me."
"Guilty. We're good, but we're great with you on the floor man, there's no denying that."
"Aye, I'm just doing my part man. I want to do great things. If I'm going to achieve that, I need to be great for myself and my team."
"Aight, I hear that." Jalen approved. "So, how you liking Penn State so far freshie?"
"I'm digging it. Still haven't checked all the nooks and crannies in this place, it's been all basketball for me, just tunnel vision since I got here."
"I feel you. I don't think either one of us is going to be here after today, Christmas week and all."
"Nah, nah, y'all do y'all things, I'm not gonna hold y'all up. I'ma kick it here anyway, it'll give me time to take this place all in at my own pace."
"The campus tour wasn't enough over the summer?" Seth asked.
"Nah, it was, but you know, that's one of those stick and move tours. Like I said, I can pace myself. Find my feng shui around here."
"Okay, but you know just about all these building will be closed for the break."
"Yeah, I gather that much, but I'll just cruise around, take the view in. Like I said, find my feng shui."
"This the place." Jalen interrupted as we arrived at Mount Nittany Medical Center. "Hopefully he's not sleeping, I swear he can sleep all day though."
We hopped out the car and headed inside to Sam's room, checking in on him. It sucked so much seeing Sam bed resting like this. Dude had a talented shot on him and could've done something with it. Who knows, maybe he could go pro in the NBA or elsewhere and still do great, but I kept envisioning that this could also be me one day. I know I boast a lot, I blow my-self up, cause I want to be larger than life. But I wasn't oblivious to the trials and tribulations, I was well aware of them anecdotally. I understood that not everybody is going to be great even when they say they will be. I wasn't going to let that be me. No way, I'm a man of my word. I have to be... Jalen, Seth and I spent a couple hours with Sam before his family arrived to be with him. We broke out of there to give them their personal time. After being dropped off to the dorms, I made my way to my room, giving some thought about the things that could be, things that won't, things to come and what not. For the longest, I've always felt this urge to be great, and I knew one day that it would come out of me to full realization. I just needed to stay the course, no matter what... A few hours had gone by after fallen victim to a nap. The place was quiet. Having the space to my-self, with the roommates gone for the week, my thoughts rung loud in my head. My mother was on my mind. It was kind of late, so I dropped a few lines to her instead...
Hakeem (12/24/2021 11:15pm):
Buenas noches a la reina que me dio a luz (Good evening to the Queen that birthed me).
Hakeem (12/24/2021 11:16pm):
Just thinking of you. It's been years since we've seen each other outside of social media pictures. I always miss you.
Hakeem (12/24/2021 11:18pm):
College is going well, better than I expected. I can't say I'm truly having a blast here, but just know that I'm doing well for my-self. I know you're all your kids have experienced college now. I'm glad to be here for you.
Hakeem (12/24/2021 11:19pm):
Don't think I have forgotten my past, for all the pain I've cost you, lo siento por siempre (I'm forever sorry).
Hakeem (12/24/2021 11:19pm):
Just know that I will make it up to you, I promise you. Te quiero mucho mamá, y felices fiestas (I love you so much mom, and happy holidays)...
