Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
St. Louis, MO (Future150) -- Kareem Wright received his first division one scholarship offer on Monday night, fielding it from the University of Southern Mississippi. At first glance, it doesn't seem like much news in the world of high school basketball recruiting.
Every day, high school prospects all over the country get offers from division one programs. However, very few can appreciate an offer quite like Kareem can.
The senior point guard has overcome more adversity in his young life than most people have handled in their entire lives, and it fuels him on a daily basis.
The 18 year old Nashville, Tennessee native has bounced around homeless shelters, friends houses, and schools beginning in the eighth grade, a cycle that continued until this year.
His birth father has been in jail for drugs, and his step father was recently incarcerated for murder, leaving Kareem and four siblings with only his mother, who works three and four jobs at a time in order to provide for his family.
"She's my motivation," he told Future150 when asked about what fuels him to make it in not only basketball, but life in general.
Because of everything he has been through, the outlook Wright has on life is much different than most kids beginning their senior year of high school.
"I've had to be on my own since the 8th grade really, so I've had to mature fast and understand that time waits for no man. Time is valuable and I learned young that if I want something, I have to go get it," he said.
Because of his maturity, it was an easy decision for Kareem to leave his family behind in Nashville and spend his senior season at St. Louis Christian (MO) in order to enhance his chances of earning a college scholarship, which will benefit him and his family in the long run.
A date circled on both Kareem and the Cougars calendar is February 7th, when they take on Prime Prep (TX) and their star point guard, Emmanuel Mudiay, the #4 overall prospect in the 2014 class.
"I think I'm slept on nationally, so I have a lot to prove this season. Emmanuel Mudiay is the best point guard in the country, and I'm always up for a challenge. Why play if you don't want to be the best and compete against the best?"
The 6-foot-2 point guard with blazing speed and excellent ball skills should not be taken lightly by Prime Prep. He's slipped under the national radar because of the hardships he has faced, ones which he is ready to free himself from.
Missouri is the latest high profile program to inquire about Wright, and they certainly won't be the last this season, especially with a big year, which is expected.
It's been a rocky five years for Kareem Wright, and when asked about where he sees himself five years from now, his optimism is amazing for a kid who has been through so much strife and heartache.
"I see myself at full potential, at the peak of my game. I see myself graduating college and entering the NBA draft if I'm blessed enough," he stated.
Hopes and dreams can be a powerful thing. Living in a world that has not been fair to Kareem, he's learned valuable lessons and continued to work toward a dream and a better life. Nothing can get in the way of him now, not even Emmanuel Mudiay.
Comments:
Kareem, I’m praying you will continue to look to God for your divine purpose and that you will receive the desires of heart as you seek earnestly after him. It was a priviledge to have you in my class for a year. I look forward to hearing and reading greater things.
I can honestly say that this young man definitely takes after my brother (Spencer) which is his “Popz” in that retrospect to say he is very driven, focused often hard headed…LOL, however I love his drive and passion for what he believes in and I can say that Success isn’t given it’s Earned on the track, on the field, in the gym, with blood, sweat and the occasional tears. THE VICTORY IS YOURS…U CAN DO IT!!!!