"Superstars Aren't Made in the Spotlight"

On March 8, 2016 I read an article in the online version of USA Today. The author, Nicole Auerbach, announced USA Today's selection for the player of the year--Denzel Valentine. In the article she made a statement that caught my attention: "Superstars aren’t made in the spotlight; they’re made when no one is watching... Each offseason, Valentine made lists of goals he wanted to accomplish to get better in some facet of his game. The lists used to be longer than they became as he grew older. But he made sure to check each item off, whether it required endless hours in the gym with his older brother, Drew, or making the smart choice for dinner instead of the more delicious one."

The behind-the-scenes work Denzel did to become the player he is today reminded me of my own modest outside-the-spotlight efforts to become a good enough basketball player to qualify for our high school varsity team.

In grade school and high school I was usually the tallest person in the class. If my memory is accurate, I was six feet tall by the time I was 14 years old. However, at the same time I wasn't well coordinated. Figuratively, I couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. As a result, even though I liked basketball, I wasn't very good at it.

In the sixth grade my tryout for the basketball team was unsuccessful. During my sophomore year I decided to try out again. I had practiced a lot since my previous, failed attempt. Again my efforts fell short.

I was still determined to qualify, so almost every night after school I went home, picked up my basketball and practiced by myself at the church gym for one to two hours.  In addition, though I didn't have a basketball hoop at home to practice shooting, I did practice dribbling and passing. I was determined to become a better player on my own, even if I didn't make the school team.

I also gained more skill by playing on the church young men's team. We had a good coach who took an interest in me and helped me to further develop my skills.

My many hours of basketball practice finally paid off in my junior year.  I made the junior varsity team and played on the starting squad throughout the season.

I went out for basketball again in my senior year and made the varsity team. Although I didn't play on the first string, I was usually the first one substituted. I even started in one game after playing an especially good game against Caldwell High School.  In that game I shared high point honors.

I certainly didn't become a superstar by any stretch of the imagination. However, I did learn a valuable lesson. To be successful in any endeavor, it takes determination, discipline, patience and a lot of hard work when no one is watching. If I could change anything during that period of time, I would have worked even harder.