Brent Reed Research Paper

Brent Reed wasn’t the average basketball player that everyone thinks of. Commonly, people think of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant when basketball is the topic of discussion. Brent was born with only one arm. A malfunction had occurred in the birthing process, which caused him to lose one of his arms. At the age of 5, he was sent to a kindergarten school with children all his age. He was relentlessly bullied up until his senior year of highschool. Remarks such as, “Where’s your arm Brent?” or “You will never be able to become a pro”, rang in his ears like church bells. These phrases were used as fuel for Brent to begin his basketball career. He began playing recreational town basketball in his home town of New Haven, CT at the age of 7. Being an African American male, he was always made fun of for the color of his

“Ready to play some basketball!” yelled his father. “Yes” responded Brent in an exhausted tone. As Brent reached for the ball with one long arm, he loaded up and fired at the basket. Swish! This would go on for hours and hours until finally Brent pranced inside to do his homework. A look of exhaustion spread over his face. He whined to his father, “why can’t school be as easy as shooting a jumpshot”. Brent’s father replied, “because when you put enough effort into anything, it becomes a lot easier Brent.” Brent used this as motivation into his basketball career. Brent was now 16 years old, and was on the New Haven high school basketball team. In his Sophomore year, he had won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award. He had faced his challenge of becoming a one armed basketball player, when he was 7 years old. Nastier remarks then can be thought about in the human language were spoken. Brent did not let this get to his head, with the undenying thought of going all-pro in the sport he loved. Brent used the nasty remarks from his enemies, as fuel on the basketball