Last season, just before the end of the University of Florida vs. the University of Miami Football game, my son Jared and I were walking toward University Ave. when I noticed a tall, long-haired guy and a long, lean gangly guy walking ahead of us. Something in the way the long-haired one gathered up his hair to put it into a pony-tail caught my eye. I suddenly realized we were walking behind Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer. These champions were right along side of us.
I asked each of them if my son Jared could shake their hands. I explained that they are heroes of his and he want to be the next Lee Humphrey, Florida's 3-point master. When I explained that Jared takes between 300-500 3-pointers per day, Joakim jokingly told him: 'Better make that 1,000'. Corey told him to keep it up, but: 'You better make 300-400 of those 500 'J's'.
Both young men saw in Jared a dedicated kid who looks up to them. Both took the opportunity to say encouraging words to lift him up and help him strive. The next day, Jared banged out 850 practice 3-pointers before he'd had enough. He's tallied 63,000 since last July 4th. One day, he just might play for Billy Donovan. He certainly has the will.
Both young men saw in Jared a dedicated kid who looks up to them. Both took the opportunity to say encouraging words to lift him up and help him strive. The next day, Jared banged out 850 practice 3-pointers before he'd had enough. He's tallied 63,000 since last July 4th. One day, he just might play for Billy Donovan. He certainly has the will. 
