Ballpark Throwbacks.

ange.nkuru (63)in #sportstalk • 5 years ago

My dad sent me this picture a few weeks ago. A throwback to when I was a basketball addict who used every opportunity he got to go shoot hoops.

The sun is blazing hot? No problem. Oh it's raining? Let it pour! Anytime was as good as any, having even played tipsy on some occasions, and once hammered at a party in Nairobi. It wasn't pretty to see. But I digress.

Familly Tingz:

Both my brothers and I caught the bball bug around the same time, 2007-2008, mostly due to the change in our environment from a mostly football centric school to a bball one. Also, a cousin of ours who happens to have played for the national team, as well for one of the most prominent league teams, that he also helped coach for some time, was a big influence.

Even now that he's no longer playing, he still is incredibly passionate about the game, and has always encouraged us to do our best in that field and all others. Accepting to train with him was always immediately regretted though, he was merciless to his trainees.

I for one average, was good enough to warm the bench but not good enough for the forefront. Can't sell myself too short though, I was particularly good 3 pointers, not getting blocked, and I was known for pulling off some tricky shots here and there. But other than that, i just played for the thrill of it.

My younger brothers on the other hand, were much better than me. Don't tell them I admitted to it but, they were.

One of them at one time playing for our high school and then his college as point guard;

And the other for his high school as power forward, I think. He had also started training with a local team more recently but then got a foot injury, and nowadays only plays occasionally.

Actually, none of us really plays these days. Sad, but I guess that's just how life goes. The memories still linger though.

High School Shenanigans:

I also loved playing ball at school. Actually, basketball was our school's official addition. Courts were always full, benchees had benchees and there were always spectators lurking around. When left to our own devices, it wasn't unusual for us to leave after the sun had set.

Over the years, we had too many moments to count on those courts. But the first that comes to mind, and surely the most memorable for everyone that was present, is the one I'm about to present. I gotta warn you though, it's one of those you had to be there stories.

So one day during P.E class, as we were hoopin shootin and lootin, the ball is about to go out of bounds when this classmate(let's call him Brian) rushes to get it back in.

Brian, was this tall, super athletic classmate that always looked serious but was actually hilarious. He didn't run, he blitzed, and he didn't jump, he levitated.

The whole scene happened in a flash. He ran and jumped towards the ball looking like a ballerina or a gazelle in their element, he caught it and with a back hand movement, put it back in. Tried to put back in. The ball hit the back of his foot and was once again propelled the other way at light speed.

Now see, there was a mini hill right behind the court(not too close though), and as the ball had just flown over it, Bryan followed it as said jump also landed him down the hill.

Amazed and confused, we all looked at each and on cue, fell on the ground cracking up. We should have been worried but fuck it, "he'll survive," we were floored!

My classmates, I, our P.E instructor, the unfortunate bystanders... Everybody was floored! Even now when we meet up and discuss it, we tear up. And as I was composing this section, tears started flowing once again. 🤣 Anywho;

Dude climbed back the mini hill hyped, carrying the ball like nothing had just happened. He found us still dying, and the fact that he had this wtf is going on look on his face, just made us crack up even harder!

Oh my days.