As a basketball fan it is definitely safe for me to say I am a Lebron fan from the time I started watching basketball he has been the most exciting player to watch. I believe that he is the greatest player to ever touch a basketball not just because of his skill and impact in the game globally but also because he was able to take the pressure of his life and form into something great. It was 2003 and Michael Jordan was on his farewell tour with the struggling Washington Wizards as some of you may remember with his first stint with the Chicago Bulls he had retired in order to pursue another dream playing pro baseball but after much thought and criticism he knew he just didn't fit. So later he would end up returning to the Bulls but this time instead of wearing his iconic jersey number 23 he was with the number 45. Soon many years and championships later he would end up leaving Chicago for Washington to retire but who was the next face of the League was the young laker they called the next Jordan, Kobe Bryant out of Los Angels? or maybe even another face. The league was still in search for there next big and bright star. Until a man named Lebron James was gifted with this title. When he was drafted in 2003 first overall to the Cleveland Cavilers he was already box office with his nickname being the chosen one out of Saint Vincent Saint Mary high school. A lot of people wondered how he would live up to the insane expectations through out his career because he was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan. He would start the first 3 years he wouldn't even sniff the playoffs until 2006 where would lose in the second round to the Detroit Pistons. In 2007 he was able to make a giant leap bringing the Cavs to the NBA Finals where they would lose to the Spurs in 4 but every year after he would end up losing in the east while winning many awards like NBA MVP but not an NBA title. In 2010 he would ended up joining the Miami Heat where he would finally win 2 NBA titles which most people would call lackluster due to him being paired with multiple other superstars. In 2015 be would make the decision to go back to the Cavs. Then in 2016 this moment is why I believe he is the greatest player of all time. 2016 was an amazing year for basketball the Golden State Warriors with there superstar Stephen Curry had led them to win an NBA record 73 games which had broke the 1996 Bulls record. It was only destiny for them to meet in the Finals. The Warriors would jump to a commanding 3-1 lead over the Cavs being one win away from an NBA title. After 2 hard fought games which had a Steph Curry ejection and a Draymond Green Suspension the Series had been tied 3-3 where 41 points from Lebron and his teammate Kyrie Irving had helped force a game 7. This game seven in known as one of the best ever with drama every which way in the Final minutes on fast brake to put the Warriors up Lebron would make an inhumane block which lead to a shot from the Cavs winning them there first NBA title ever. This is why I believe that he is the best ever because of his ability to defy the odds presented Infront of Him.

The person who has supported me the most with reaching my educational goals has been my mom since the time I was in elementary school she has always made sure that I focus on my studies and has always encouraged me to reach for the top. In middle school I attended Raytown Middle in Missouri during this time academically I was a pretty good student averaging As and Bs with a solid 3.0 GPA even making the principal honor roll every day I would come home to my mom asking how I did in school and I would just tell her that I did pretty well as well as passing all of my tests. Even with this knowledge, she would always tell me to continue studying to remain consistent because even if you are an easy learner or pick up on concepts fast you do not want to lean on that but rather she insisted that I lean on proper research and study material. Every time after school I would continue to study even the things that I knew exceptionally well. As a single parent, my mother had to make sure that there was food on the table which meant that she had to work overtime and take late-night shifts dealing with a new problem at her job every day. There would be times when coming home that I would need help with an assignment or ask questions and she would always be there to help me. Of course, due to her job, she would be tired but she was always willing to push through that tiredness to help. Throughout middle school, I didn't grasp this understanding of the amount of pressure that she had taking care of my brothers and me. That is why I was not hesitant to call or text her because I didn't understand the stress that she was going through because of all the advice and help she was giving us. Once I had reached high school and grasped a better understanding of life and people I understood better what it was that pushed my mom so much to take those late-night shifts and provide things like new shoes and clothes. I saw that even though my mom was tired she would always smile and persevere through adversity to provide for the people she loved the most. This realization made me feel guilty and selfish for what I was doing. Even so, she was still able to push through her problems and was willing to help me with school projects and assignments. The help that my mom was able to give me was a lesson .This lesson that my mom was able to teach and is still teaching me is that perseverance builds character and can help you achieve any goal in life that you are looking to achieve. In high school, I was able to use this to push through tough assignments and late-night studies to make the Honor roll and National Honors Society while graduating with a 3.5 GPA. In conclusion, my mom biggest goal was to see me succeed and achieve my personal goals that why she was able to go above and beyond in order to help me. I believe that the biggest thing our parents, educators, and leaders in society can do is invest in the younger generation by teaching them the values of perseverance to show them why it is needed academically, professionally, or in everyday life. It will ensure that the next generation is well-prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow with strength and integrity.