Reggie Miller

Reggie Miller (://www.hoopsjunkie.net/images/miller)

Who should I pick to be my hero? Someone who is determined, selfless, has overcome odds, worked for what they want? Someone who achieves greater than most, helpful, modest? Someone who believes in him or herself, never gives up, and most of all some to look up to? It sounds like I’m describing the perfect person, but no I’m describing my hero, Reggie Miller.

On August 24, 1965, Reggie was born into a talented family. His brother Darrell went on to become catcher for the California Angles and both his sisters were star student athletes. If I were in his spot I would want some attention too. I would find something I liked and practice it so I could shine like my siblings. That is exactly what Reggie did. This was amazing because he had underdeveloped hips, so he had to wear leg braces for the first four years of his life. Some doctors said he might not be able to walk properly, but he proved them wrong by working for what he wanted. This wasn’t the last time he worked hard for something he wanted. Throughout his childhood he had to push himself to score on his older siblings in basketball games. Michael Jordan, another great guard, had to push himself to score on his older brother. I think having to push yourself to achieve over older siblings is the recipe for a great athlete.

He went on to go to UCLA where he became an All American, scoring 2,095 points in his career second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another great basketball legend. He was drafted, in 1987, to the Indianapolis Pacers. After he was drafted, he was in LA for Magic Johnson’s Midsummer Nights Magic Charity Game (‘87) where he was at a table with Michael Jordan, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson and other NBA stars. Mike teased him with “What’s a Pacers?” and “Where’s Indiana?” This made everyone laugh. If this were me, I would get mad and turn that anger towards basketball. I would show them who the Pacers are. Reggie knew they where just teasing him, but he wanted to put the Pacers on the map. He said “I don’t know how or how long it’s going to take, but people are going to know what a Pacer is.” And, in Chicago, Detroit, and L.A., that is what he did. This is just like what he achieved as a kid, trying hard to get some of the spotlight his siblings had, and trying to get noticed. He turned into an icon for Indiana. He became a starter in his rookie year, averaging 10 points a game. He continued to improve. By his third season he averaged 24.6 points a game. Like Michael Jordan he went to the Olympics and All-Star games.

What people didn’t see was more important. Instead of partying and buying cars and houses, like most sports stars do, he helped kids. Like Bianca Maxwell a 2-year-old girl who had AIDS. The Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged for her to meet Reggie. They developed a strong bond. When they were together, it was like nobody else was in the room. Reggie made time for her before and after games and as Bianca died her one wish was see to Reggie. He had a game that night but she told him that he could go play and that she would be fine. There were many other kids he met and bonded with. He encouraged them saying, “I had leg braces growing up but look at me now.” He was modest about helping kids and people were more interested with his stats, which were hard not to be interested in. With 25,279 points in his career, and 15 NBA playoffs in 18 years of playing, he was truly a legend. Again, like Michael Jordan, he became an icon for his city.

Now I have shown you proof that Reggie Miller is determined, selfless, has overcome odds, worked for what he wanted, is someone who achieves greater than most, helpful, modest, someone who believes in himself, never gives up and, most of all, is someone to look up to. Now I hope you see why my hero is Reggie Miller.