High and Dry

Husky was a reputed gang member in the city. After spending two years in prison for slashing somebody during a fight, he decided to try college. That's where we formally met. I watched him play ball in the gym during the preseason with my players and decided to talk to him since he filled a major need. He was a tough, coordinated big body who played like a man. Despite the major need Husky filled, I was very reluctant to work with him.The last time I had knowingly allowed a guy with gang ties to play for me, it didn't turn out well.

That character (Doedoe) ended up being accused of robbing a young woman in broad daylight on a college campus. Months after the initial accusation, I was summoned to court to testify on his behalf. His alibi was that he had been at practice during the robbery--which was true. I took a day off of work to get grilled by a District Attorney. Ultimately, my testimony set him free even though the victim identified him as the culprit. One of my players would later tell me that Doedoe confessed to doing it. I'm still unsure about whether or not I aided a criminal.

Doedoe thanked me after the court proceeding, but I haven't seen him since that day. Ironically, Husky rolled with Doedoe for a time in the same crew. Instead of typecasting Husky as another gang involved cat who would fizzle, I gave him a shot. It actually worked out well for a time until a mishap occurred during a game.

Husky was on probation so he had a tracker hooked up to his ankle. While he went up for a rebound during a game, the tracker came off. It was quite the awkward scene as he kicked the tracker from the court towards our bench. Fortunately, the cops didn't show up right there to arrest him. Husky did the smart thing and turned himself in. Even though he had an explanation for the mishap, Husky was locked up for three weeks. He even missed Thanksgiving with his family.

His girlfriend contacted me and asked if I would be willing to testify on his behalf during a procedural hearing. I agreed to do so. On a Tuesday morning, I grabbed a couple of Assistant Coaches and headed to court. After waiting a couple of hours, I was summoned to the witness stand.

Attorney: Do you recognize that young man?
Me: Yes. I do.
Attorney: In what capacity are you familiar with him?
Me: I'm his Coach. He plays for the Men's basketball team at the college.
Attorney: Can you tell us what happened to the tracking device, sir?
Me: He went up for a rebound and it came off in the gym. I brought additional witnesses to provide further testimony if needed.
Attorney: That won't be needed. In order to play, does he have to maintain a certain grade point average?
Me: Yes. He currently has a C or better in every class.
Attorney: And he's a full time student, correct?
Me: Yes. He's enrolled in four classes. These three weeks in prison have really hurt his grades...
Attorney: Thank you for your testimony, Coach.

The judge set him free that morning. Husky's girlfriend thanked me outside the court room afterwards. A day after coming to practice, Husky abruptly quit the team. I haven't heard from him since...