A 32 Year Old Rookie Reminds Us To Never Give Up


There was a great story that came out of the NBA this week. Not too many people ever get to fulfill their dream of playing in the NBA. Many boys imagine it as they take fade away jump shots on driveway hoops. High school players dream of going pro someday. College athletes know they’re just a step away. 

Consider these numbers:
550,000 High School Boy Basketball Players
4,511 Division A college players
301 NBA players

Making it to the NBA isn’t easy. It was Andre Ingram’s dream. He played for American University but when his collegiate career was done he went undrafted and unsigned. So he played minor league basketball in the NBA’s G league. The average NBA player plays for 4.8 years and earns $24.7 million in their career. Of course, super stars earn that in a season. Ingram made $19,000 last season, and has played for 10 years at this token salary. On Tuesday this week that changed.

The Lakers signed Ingram to a 2 game contract to finish the season. They payed him close to $14,000 for the two games, and the 32 year old rookie walked out onto the court for his first ever NBA game and scored 19 points. In his next game he would score a more modest, but still respectable, 5 points.

His dream came true. But not from a genie in a bottle. He just never gave up.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” II Chronicles 15:7

His story is rather inspiring. It’s easy to quit when things get tough. Our Father rewards faithfulness though. There must have been times when Paul wondered if it was worth it. Prison cells, house arrest, beaten, working a secular job while trying to preach at the same time, and all sorts of trials. Thankfully he also serves as a powerful example of continuing in the faith.

I don’t know if Andre Ingram will ever play in the NBA again. Whether he does or not, his determination was finally rewarded. Ours will be as well. Keep going. Jesus is with you. And he’s all you need.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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