White Boy Hustle

Superstars are hard to find. Coaches often look for guys who are supremely gifted on the court--essentially, players who can make their job easy. I don't think many of us scout games looking for anything less than an impact player. When I receive film on a prospect, for example, I try to determine if that player has starter potential or if he could (at least) make the team. I've written off quite a few guys on the basis of a twenty minute viewing. One player I overlooked initially has taught me a lesson that I'll carry through the rest of my coaching career.

Hustle didn't fit the superstar bill by any means. He was a local prospect I hadn't heard about until he called me to find out about the date of our tryout. I called him in for an initial workout just to get a feel for his game. He had the court all to himself for the workout. All he had to do was hit a few jump-shots and show that he could handle the ball in some different drills to make my prospect list. It would be an understatement if I wrote that he had a lackluster showing. Hustle had "Team Manager" written all over him.

With the talent I had coming in that year, I didn't envision Hustle making the team. He didn't have any redeemable "basketball skills" to help the team. I didn't look forward to cutting Hustle because he was a really nice young man. Unfortunately, he showed up for tryouts and I had to drop the ax on him. I felt bad. Surprisingly, one of my players (who I really disliked) asked to bring Hustle back during a pre-practice meeting in front of the team. I asked the other guys how they felt, and the vote was unanimous to bring Hustle back on board.

Hustle played fewer minutes than anybody on the team, but his attitude was first rate. He practiced harder than everybody and showed up first a majority of the time. Hustle really won me over after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in practice. I thought he would just fold up his tent and keep it moving. I was wrong. Hustle helped with the score book in every game and voluntarily ran laps with the team (while wearing a brace) when they were being punished for giving up too many points.

Ultimately, he played two years for me. He even earned consistent playing time as a sophomore. When his playing days were done, I invited him to coach with me as a reward for his attitude and commitment; he coached with me for two seasons. Despite being termed "learning disabled" in high school and graduating with a 1.9, Hustle worked his way to a 4-year college after earning an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. He now has a 3.6 GPA and is preparing to enroll in the police academy.

I'll never forget the lesson that Hustle taught me. Some superstars can't be identified in a stat book.