Barack "The Senator" Obama
From Hoopedia
Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. (born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. In addition, he is a pretty fair baller, according to the New York Times (6/1/2007). The lanky 6'2" Obama reportedly uses his good conditioning and knowledge of the game to contribute on the court.
Obama began playing as a child. He had a Dr. J on his bedroom wall. He played on his school teams. His nickname was "Barry O'Bomber." As a law student at Harvard he learned to play under pressure. He played on a team of law students who took on a team of prisoners. The cons who lined the prison yard court loudly reminded the Harvard boys that they had cigarettes riding on the outcome.
Basketball deeply shaped his life. Yes, it was a refuge from the world for him, a place where he was judged by what he could do and how he did, rather than by who his Daddy was. More importantly, though, it was the acid test that set him on the road to marriage.
Obama had just met the future Michelle Robinson, the future Mrs. Obama. A wise woman, she recruited her brother, Craig Robinson, to take the young man to the playground for some streetball. Miss Robinson wanted to know whether this new fella called too many fouls, or hogged the ball. Her brother had some expertise in playing ball; he is still the fourth-leading career scorer at Princeton University and is currently the head basketball coach at Brown University. Obviously his assessment was a positive one.
Obama has had the chance to play at some of the toniest health clubs in America. But when he lived in Chicago he also played at the local courts in Hyde Park, near the University of Chicago. There, you might be running with a future Nobel Prize winner, or with the boyz from the hood...or even a future U.S. President.
If you ever get the chance to go up against him, here's the book on The Senator:
- He's a natural leftie, who likes to fake right and go left. (Many Democrats hope that there is no metaphorical significance to this tendency.)
- Quick, self-confident, good wind, nice left-handed jumper.
- On defense, he is not shy about tugging on a shirt or using his elbows.
- When Obama makes several shots in succession, he readily points it out to his opponents.
- Known to call fouls on himself.
- While he is not in the same league with some of his opponents (did we mention his brother-in-law?), he compensates with his smarts and unselfish play.
The Times interviewed former NBA All-Star Rickey Green, who has played with Obama. His assessment: "He’s above average," for a pickup player. "He’s got a nice little left-hand shot and some knowledge of the game."
