Chapter 2: From the Court to the Streets

Jaxon strolled over the small alleys of his former area, trainers scuffing against the broken pavement. He was met like ghosts from his past by the familiar sights of dilapidated buildings and faded streetlights. This was the beginning—the location basketball had been his only means of escape.

The thud of a basketball bouncing nearby drew him back from his thoughts and reminded him of the lad he used to be: hungry, driven, and ready to face the world.

In the past Jaxon had the heart but had not been the tallest or strongest child. His playground was the local courts, and he developed a reputation for a strong work ethic very fast.

At first, the older lads shoved him about, laughing at the skinny child attempting to bring them on. Jaxon never gave up, though. Every game was a fight, and he battled for every point like life or death.

When his father had left Jaxon and his mother to fend for themselves at barely eight, he had gone out.

Jaxon spent his afternoons at the court as his mother labored long hours. It was there he discovered comfort and direction. Though they were demanding of him, the court became his second home and the older players started to live with him as makeshift family.

Though every loss pained, it motivated his will for recovery.

The turning point Jaxon met local high school standout Derek, who had created waves in the basketball scene, one day while engaged in a very competitive game. Derek studied Jaxon's motions with great curiosity from the sidelines. Derek came over and gave some advise as Jaxon missed yet another game.

Derek tossed the ball to Jaxon, saying, "You have heart but heart won't win games." "You have to be smarter than everyone else here if you want to make it."

That talk turned Jaxon's life around.

From reading plays to knowing his opponent's shortcomings, Derek took him under his wing and taught him the nuances of basketball technique. Jaxon's game developed with Derek's direction. He was playing precisely, not only with emotion anymore.

But tension developed between Jaxon and some of the older players the more he performed. Seeing a younger child rule the court made them uncomfortable. Arguments erupted, and soon Jaxon was by himself, confronted by a mob unhappy by his ascent.

Simple Origins Jaxon kept returning despite the negativity. His only release was basketball; he couldn't afford to give it up. But things grew worse when Marcus, one of the more experienced players, challenged Jaxon to a high stakes game.

Jaxon would have to forfeit his court seat permanently should he lose. Should he prevail, Marcus would quit the court permanently.

The game was cruel.

Marcus tried to wear Juxon down by using every nasty trick in the book. Shoves, trash talk, elbows—nothing was forbidden. Jaxon, though, refused to let it color him. Derek's counsel stayed with him and he played smarter rather than harder.

He waited for Marcus to exhaust himself, then grabbed every opportunity.

Jaxon came out on top by one point overall. It was a message, not only a triumph. Nobody asked his position on the court going forward.

Breaking out Jaxon's next major move was into high school basketball. He possessed the ability, but the politics of being noticed were somewhat different. While scouts mainly focused on top players who could bring their club to championships, coaches desired constant talent.

Jaxon resolved himself to be that star.

At Clarke High, he soon took front stage on the squad. Though he was clearly talented, his attitude distinguished him. He was unrelenting, pushing his associates to their best and expecting perfection from all around him.

While some gamers hated him, others respected him for it. Jaxon, though, didn't give a damn. He was here to win, not to hang around making friends.

A Brush with Failure Still, there were obstacles on the road. Jaxon had his first significant obstacle in his junior year: an injury that benched him for almost half the season. It was terrible to be on the sidelines observing his squad suffer without him.

Uncertainties came in: what if he turned out not as good as he had assumed?

Suppose his career came to an end before it began.

Jaxon, though, was not one to give up easily. He focused especially on his training as soon as he was cleared to resume play. He watched game tape for hours, worked harder at the gym, and examined every element of his own performance.

He was battling to show to himself that he could still be the best, not only to reclaim the court.

The Breakthrough Jaxon's atonement came in senior year. His damage behind him, he returned more robust than ever. His school's team, which had suffered in his absence, developed into a formidable opponent.

Jaxon guided his club to success after game, drawing interest from college scouts all around.

But his leadership attracted more attention than his ability. Even the athletes who had once turned against him now sought his direction. Jaxon was the heart of the team, the one motivating everyone to be better; he had evolved from simply a player.

Jaxon earned offers from numerous elite colleges by the end of the season. He decided on Westbrook University, well-known for its strong basketball program and track record of turning out professionals. Jaxon knew he was ready; this was the next turn in his path.

Arrived at Westbrook. For Jaxon, first visiting Westbrook's campus was an odd experience. The facilities were cutting edge, the coaching staff was top-notch, and the degree of competitiveness was beyond anything he had ever encountered. The actual game started here.

Jaxon felt the intensity the instant he entered the gym. Players were vying not only for play time but also for their future professions. Every practice was a fight, and Jaxon flourished in that setting.

He planned to prove himself exactly because he knew he had to do once more.

Practice's First Day Jaxon met Coach Davis, a strict man with keen talent sense, on the first day of practice. Although Coach Davis had heard about Jaxon's reputation, he was not one to readily award compliments. Coach Davis said clearly, "I don't care what you did in high school."

You wish to be the finest here?

You will need to work for it.

Jaxon enjoyed the challenge. Practices were demanding, with drills meant to challenge the athletes to reach their physical and psychological limitations. Jaxon, though, was outstanding, surpassing everyone around him.

Even Coach Davis had to acknowledge Jaxon was unique by the end of the first week.

But Jaxon started to see the same pattern he had observed in high school as he ascended the ranks: some players hated him for his success. Whispering behind his back, they questioned his approach and attempted to discredit him everywhere. Jaxon, though, was not bothered.

He understood how to manage it; he had gone through this once.

In essence, Jaxon felt the weight of what he had gone through as he stood on the court at Westbrook observing his colleagues practice drills. Though the court had made him, the streets had sculpted him. He was now prepared to advance in his path.

Now he was the Basketball Alpha, not simply a local child; nothing would stop him from taking his title.