For the first time in my life I feel like I’ve made it. As I put the phone down I knew big things were coming my way. I had just got off the phone with David Fizdale, head coach of the New York Knicks, he wants me to drive in to training camp next week. It's my chance to finally make it to the league. Ever since I was seven years old, I've been working towards this goal. Every night I would go out and shoot hoops at the local YMCA. I’d dribble the ball for hours in front of my street, practicing all the moves I saw the pros use on tv. I organized pick-up games every weekend in my neighborhood. Soon the competition wasn’t good enough for me and I joined a travel team. Working everyday with the dream of one day joining the NBA, and now this dream could come true.

“Mom!” I called.

“What Honey?” She called back.

“You’ll never guess what just happened!” I exclaimed. I told her everything that had happened on the phone call and she knew, this was my big moment. 

“Well Denis I am so, so proud of you!” She told me, “I can drive you down to the city next week, but I’m going to have to take the day off work.” 

“Thank you so much mom!” I told her. I put my travel bag on my bed and began to pack up. I packed everything I would need, water, shorts, my ball, a jersey, and my lucky sweatband.

My sweatband is dark red. I’ve worn it every time I’ve played, honestly it smells like a gym locker room, its gross, but since I’ve worn it I haven’t lost a game. I couldn’t wait for the day of the tryout, and when it came I was ecstatic.

On my way to the tryout I was laser focused. I needed to be in the right state of mind or else I was going to fail. When I finally arrived in the city I was astounded by the view. The buildings were enormous, I felt inspired driving through the city, if I made the team today, this would be my home. I was meant to be here. By the time we passed central park I was in the zone. I was ready to prove everyone who ever doubted me wrong.

“How you doin’ honey?” My mom asked.

“I’m ready mom!” I replied.

“Good luck today, don’t forget all the work you’ve put in, show this team what you got!” My mom seemed almost as excited as I was. She’s the one who's been supporting me all these years and I am determined not to let her down.

“Thanks mom, I love you!” I told her.

The moment was finally here. I got out of the car and waved goodbye. As I walked into Knicks Training Facility I had one thing on my mind, “Success.” 

Life was a blur waiting to get onto the court. I was escorted through a maze of doors for seemling hours, wanting nothing more than to just get on that court. There were 20 people there just like me, only four of us would make it to the team. The coach walked onto the court and began to speak to us.

“This isn’t a charity. We are only looking for four of you, so if you want to make the team you are going to have to show us what you got. Most of you are going to go home failures, some of you winners, you’re only job is to do your best and make this team!” With the coach’s word I knew this wasn’t going to be easy and I prepared myself for battle. Our first exercise was a shoot-around. We took turns shooting from various positions around the court, I would not hit my mark.

“What the hell was that?” Another player asked me. I recognised him as Demarcus Mariota, he got injured senior year of college and went undrafted. “If you think you are going to make this team shooting shots like that than you have another thing coming!” He gloated.

“We’ll see about that.” I barked back at him. Next was 5v5’s. The coach picked Demarcus and another player as captains. Demarcus picked me last. The games were short, ones and twos first to eleven. Simply designed to show off some of ours moves in a game setting. Demarcus refused to put me in. After thirty minutes of waiting, the head coach finally forced him to let me play. I was starting to heat up. Making solid passes and showcasing my handles I could tell the coach was taking notice. I hit the game-winning shot, a stepback three for the win. 

“Alright, I think we’ve seen all we need to see to make the first round of cuts. Ten of you will be dropped and ten of you will stay for the next round of testing.” The coach announced. My heart was pounding. I hoped my bad shooting skills didn’t take away from my in game performance. When the coach starting reading off a list of names I was terrified.

“Demarcus, Lebron, James, Henry, Alex, Ty, Giannis, Jim, Kyrie, and Denis, you all have made it to the next round, if I didn't call your name I’d like to thank you for coming and have a safe trip home.” I couldn’t believe it, this was it. I made it to the top ten, if I make it to the top four I’ll make the team! I made sure to readjust my lucky sweatband and prepare for the next trial. It was my time to shine.

“Alright, for our next test we are going to do play one-on-one. Demarcus I want you playing Denis.” We stepped on the court and I was nervous.

“You ain’t got what it takes!” Demarcus barked at me

“You’re going down kid.” I calmly responded. I gave him the ball first  and the instant he touched it, he fired up a three. The net swished, a perfect shot.

“Let’s see you try that.” He taunted me. I got the ball and did as he did, another perfect shot.

“That's it, I’m done playing around, pass me the ball.” I gave him the ball and he took off running. He ran right towards me and jumped, I was thrown onto the floor and he slammed down a dunk. Time seemed to slow, as he flew I dropped to the ground. The coach came by with his clipboard. He shook his head, jotting down notes on paper. I couldn’t believe it, my career was over. Within 10 seconds I had gone from hero to zero. 

“You like that?” Demarcus taunted. My face turned red, I could feel myself beginning to tear up. I was furious. “What’s the matter? You gonna cry?” He said.

“You’re gonna pay for this.” I told him. I couldn’t take it anymore. I wasn’t about to let this bully take everything I’ve ever worked for away from me. I could taste the blood in my mouth and it enraged me. I took the ball and dribbled up the court, I took a step back and drained my shot. I was not going down without a fight. Our game was intense. After a back and forth battle up and down the court I was victorious. Demarcus was crushed, he was down the court talking to himself

“I lost? What am I going to do?” He said while frowning.

“Don’t give up,” I told him, “You’re one of the best players on this court, you’ll make this team for sure.”

“Thanks man.” He told me. Coach came out and announced to us one final time who would be making the team.

“First of all I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today, you guys are the best of the best and have some truly phenomenal talent. Sadly as you know we can only take four of you today and those four are Demarcus, Denis, James, and Lebron. Congratulations and everyone have a safe trip home.” I couldn’t believe it. I made the team. I did it, I put in the work and never gave up and it paid off.

“Congratulations Denis, I’ll see you on the courts.” Demarcus said with a smile

“See you there!” I happily replied. Now there was only one thing left to do, I picked up my phone and called my mom.

“Hey mom!”

“Hey Sweetie! How’d it go.”

“Call up your boss and tell him you quit, mom you are never going to have to work another day in your life.”