DEREK SEDAM
Staff Writer
Dear Pepperdine,
I could start with a long-winded speech about how basketball got me through life and to where I am today. I will save you the troubles with a short-winded synopsis.
I started my days on the hardwood back in sixth grade. Between carefully boxing my “yes or no’s” on notes to girls, I developed a relationship with basketball.
It has always been my way to express my emotions through the art of the jump shot, the head fake and the bounce pass.
Sadly, I got stuck underneath the basket for most of my playing days, and as I stopped growing everyone else continued. Soon this center was forced into the savage world of the guard and forward and chose baseball instead. This choice now leaves me with a bum right shoulder.
As the years passed into my college days, I can now play with the best at my height. Intramural basketball at Pepperdine has filled the void of competition that lacked the two years I didn’t play in high school.
This year, my intramural team “Dónde Está Tu Biblioteca?” took the sports world by storm with our high-scoring Phoenix Suns style-of-play. Our defense has held opponents to less than one point per game.
During a six-game stretch, yours truly averaged more than 15 points per game, and me and the boys put up six straight victories. My three-point shooting, defense and decision-making has become my forte.
My game is starting to turn heads, so now I have to make one of the biggest decisions in my life.
After spending time with my family and friends over Easter weekend, I believe there is nothing left for me to accomplish at the intramural and college level.
Next Tuesday, after the intramural basketball playoffs conclude, I will officially declare myself eligible for the NBA Draft.
To some this may come as a shock. Many knew I had the skills to pay the bills, but only close family knew about my struggle with this option. I deeply regret not informing my fellow Bibliotecans on this matter, and hope we can end my semi-illustrious career with a B-League championship.
I will not hire an agent (mainly because none have called back) so I will be able to pursue the option of going back to school next year. My parents told me school first but acknowledged when Isaiah Thomas is handing out max contracts to people who have no business being in the NBA, they supported skipping senior year.
Now comes the hard work.
I’m assuming purchasing some sort of protein powder would do justice, maybe even getting a pair of basketball shoes. While you are comfortably sleeping in the morning, the gym is where I’ll put in the time to become a pro.
According to scouts and Web sites, I am not even a blip on the radar for NBA teams. By bombarding NBA general managers with highlight reels and workout tapes, my draft position will climb. If anyone wants to donate money for a billboard, let’s make it happen.
If it doesn’t, well then I go back to school for one more year.
One year wiser, ready for the next draft.
03-27-2008