Part 2: Welcome to the 208

     I was super excited about the opportunity to travel up to Idaho to begin my life as a college student-athlete. Yes, student before athlete. A few of the reasons I chose to play at the College of Idaho were: 1) strong academics 2) tradition of success for basketball 3) free laptop and 4) the chance to possibly be a freshman starting point guard. The free laptop with wifi had me hyped because it would be the first time I had my own computer and I could use it anywhere on campus. I know the bar is low for excitement for me but hey. 

    I remember packing up the borrowed Nissan Xterra from my mom's colleague and then hugging my granny before hitting the I-15 heading north towards Salt Lake; all I can see is the happiness yet sadness in leaving my family for the first time. Granny left me with some words of wisdom and of course praying over me (thanks for covering me, Granny). I and mom hopped in the Xterra, next stop: 2112 Cleveland Blvd.!

    As we are driving, I have a million different ideas of what my first days on campus would be like. I'm thinking about who my classmates would be, how will my teammates and coaches respond to me (I wore my hats backward and I had braids), what it will be like to sit in a college class, etc. The one thing that never crossed my mind was, would I be the only one? When I speak of being the only one, would I be the only Black student on campus? Can't be possible, my teammate Eric Hare would be a senior (E. Hare is Blaxican. A year later my Vegas brotha Eric Howard was on campus for one year) but I didn't see any others on the team rosters for the sports teams or webpage. What did I sign up for?

    I don't remember any of the conversations I and mom had along the way but I am sure she didn't say everything she wanted to. I know she was proud of me and excited that her son had made it but I am sure she was scared as hell dropping her son off at school and detaching for the first time. I can say that she raised me right with discipline, love, and provided me the opportunity to find my way. The day I signed my letter of intent, she stood in the room over my shoulder in her coyotes' shirt. As a junior, we had one discussion about college. I mentioned to her that I had a little buzz around me playing volleyball at the time and none from basketball surprisingly. But her words to me were: I don't how we will get to college, just as long as you go. That took any and all pressure off of my shoulders. I had made a promise to her many years ago that I would attend college and that day was coming. 

    Quick flashback. When I was in eighth grade, it was routine for the local magnet schools in the city to go around to the different schools to present themselves and their programs to the rising ninth graders. We would get geeked because it meant there would be assembly when they showed up which means we got to miss class. I was not interested in one particular school so I chose to apply to all of them and see what's up. No harm, no foul. Smokey (who was a childhood friend from elementary and later AAU teammate) had an older brother that graduated from Advanced Technologies Academy (A-Tech) which had been considered the top magnet in Nevada for some years. With reluctance and submitting the application on the last day (it was paper-based of course) I didn't give it a thought that I would be the only black person on campus.  In my two years at A-Tech, I was not the only Black person on campus I was part of a small group, maybe 20, among the other approximate 780 students enrolled. This environment was only preparing me for my future. It's amazing how God places you in situations that will only help prepare you for your purpose. I only spent two years at A-Tech for the lack of sense of belonging and I was not empowered. I do wish I persevered but at that time, I had to move on.

    Back to the story. As we exited  I-84 headed to Caldwell, a scene I had vaguely remembered from recruiting trip that April. As we made our way down the Simplot hill, cross the tracks and at the third light stood Albertson College of Idaho. This would be my home for the next four years. Only keeping it to myself but inwardly I said, 'mama I made it!' Anderson Hall is where I would stay my freshman year (these were single roomed dorms and unbeknowst to me, you had to maintain a certain GPA. I only spent one year there lol).  A few doors down from me was my teammate Andy Harper who would be my favorite teammates because of his fire and competitor nature which drove me. For incoming freshmen, there was an overnight orientation out in McCall. After loading and unloading the bus, it was very obvious I was the only one, at least in my freshman class. Survival skills from A-Tech were activated. 

    I remember returning to campus after orientation as the other students began to make their way back to campus that I was no longer in Kansas. The campus became less diversed than places I had attended in Vegas. As I crossed campus on a walk, someone stopped and asked my name. I told them who I wahich was followed by an invite to a party at the fraternity house that night. But the funny part of the conversation, without me saying anything, I was asked if I were on the basketball team (at this time I didn't know the term microaggression but this definitely was one). Thinking nothing of it, I answered yes. I later realized the reason this question was asked. During my four years at ACI I can count on three fingers at how many Blacks on campus different points, all of us were tied to the basketball program. Go figure. The beautiful part is that we were STUDENT-athletes. 

    At Albertson College, I had the opportunity to grow as a student, athlete, and even more importantly a person. I was embraced by the school community and those with a vested interest in the college. In my time there, I was never the best player on the team or make any all-conference teams but to my peers and season ticket holders, those who matter, I was regarded as one of their favorite people. Dan Lew (god rest his soul) told me, "you will be great, I don't care what your coach says. you will be great". I loved playing in the JA Anderson Activities center on Fridays and Saturdays during my four years but the special moments came for me after. After games, I would go hang out in the gym to talk with any fans who left, family members of teammates or play with coaches kids who were still around. Having these individuals express their gratitude and love for me is indescribable. Here is where I learned that I will carry the daily burden of my ancestors but wear it as a badge of honor. To know that I meant something to people outside my ability to dribble a ball, gave me value. Though at times I missed having a homeboy around that I could talk music or shows with, I did take instride new opportunities to learn from those he didn't look like me. 

    I was just a skinny kid from Vegas with a dream of playing ball and I did that. I am grateful for Coach Olson at Eldorado High School for him making that call to his alma mater for me. Thanks to Coaches Owen, Matlock, and Holly for seeing enough in me to positive contributor to the ACI community. As it has been said that growth that does not happen in comfort. I learned this lesson twice within an eight-year span. I look back with fondness on my days at 2112 Cleveland Boulevard because those four years helped prepare me to step into a world that mimicked the campus I inhabited. My lessons from being one of a few and the only one has allowed me to step before others and lead, it has allowed me to be comfortable in spaces where I may not always be welcomed. But I stand with pride and take honor in being the only one.