Robbin' Hood

Kindess is often mistaken for weakness. When I started coaching, I had no problem being a cab service for my team. I've played the role of a mover, hauling mattresses and suitcases up several flights of stairs for players moving in and out of apartments. I've been pseudo-parent--running individuals to the Emergency Room with various ailments. With each year that passes, however, I've been less inclined to perform these acts of kindness because Bubblees can't help but take advantage of those who seek to help them.

"Hood" has never played for me. The past couple of years he has attempted to enroll at the college to join the team, but something always seems to go wrong for Hood. Prior to these failed attempts to be admitted here, I only knew of Hood because he was the best high school player in this city several years ago. The last time he walked a straight line, unfortunately, was when he strolled across the stage to accept his High School diploma. His life has been a total mess since then.

Today, Hood is a broke and unemployed father of one who recently got out of jail. A few months before he got locked up I invited him to campus for open gym. After accepting my invitation to play and talk about enrolling in the Fall, he didn't show up for his appointment. His name randomly came up months later when a Correctional Officer called to advocate for one of his inmates who was interested in playing basketball at the college. I quickly realized he was talking about Hood.

When Hood came out of high school, he decided to attend a Community College an hour away from here. Like most kids in this city (and high school graduates, in general), Hood wanted to get away from home to shed the negative influences that had weighed him down. The school Hood was attending didn't have dorms, so the Coach took him.into his home. By all means, this had the possibility of being a great situation for Hood.

Things went awry for him, however. Not only did Hood bomb academically (.67 GPA), he also managed to torch his relationship with the Coach.

Me: What happened with Hood at your school?
DS: What didn't happen?!? That kid is something else!
Me: He's looking to enroll here and I'm trying to determine how many classes he needs to qualify.
DS: Oh man. He didn't do squat in the classroom here. Truth be told, that kid has major learning issues. Coach, I'd teach him the most basic things on the court, like a v-cut, and he couldn't do it. It was amazing. His learning issues are severe.
Me: Really? A v-cut?? 
DS: Lemme tell you, Coach. I hope things can work out for him up there. I'm not the type to wish anything bad on a kid, but that kid doesn't deserve help from anybody. I would've given that kid the clothes off my back.
Me: What happened?
DS: He stole from me. Money was coming up missing all the time, and I didn't wanna blame him so I planted a camera near my safe. Low and behold, I caught him on camera raiding my bedroom for money! I told him he could either leave immediately, or I'd press charges on him. He stole hundreds from me!