Slam dunk!

By Nedra Ward

Photo by Nedra Ward

Robert Siler had a choice: hanging out in the streets or playing high school basketball. Three years ago, he left his friends in the streets to focus on his game. As Siler adjusted to life in high school at Kenwood Academy, he began to hit the courts. That's when the coaches discovered they had a five-star player in their camp.

Siler had other things going for him too: excellent grades with a GPA of 3.7. This is not a persistent image we see in the media about African-American teenage boys.

Most people assume these young men are dropouts, drug dealers, pimps or just plain stupid. Siler is proving them wrong. By balancing school responsibilities and basketball, he is breaking through those stereotypes. I sat down to talk with him about his challenges.

How do you balance schoolwork and commitment to basketball?
I use my free time for basketball, and I do my homework at school.

How do you feel about the stereotypes of basketball players?
I feel that they think just because you are a basketball player you are dumb. That’s not the case, because I know school will always come first.

What got you interested in playing the sport?
My dad was a basketball player and he told me I was going to be a basketball player every since I was a shortie, and I have been playing basketball every since I was three years old.

Who inspires you in life, and in basketball?
My dad because I loved playing with him when I was younger. I also like Michael Jordan and Lebron James.

What obstacles did you have to overcome in life and in basketball?
Loosing my friends to the streets. I had to separate my friends, school and basketball. I was real close with my friends and I noticed that being with them took away from me doing what I loved to do. So that’s why I had to cut them loose.

What was the most challenging step progressing to the next level as a basketball player?
Playing high school basketball because it involves a lot of new skills, and the school work gets harder.

What is the best part of being a basketball player?
The people you meet and your teammates.

What are the advantages of being a high school basketball player?
You get exposure, and you get known throughout the city and school.

Final words?
Basketball is my life, and I don’t know what I would do if I was not playing. I am using high school basketball as the key to get me through doors that ain’t open yet.