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Have you ever read the famous Japanese comic series “Slam Dunk” about a delinquent teenager who turns his life around by joining his highs school’s basketball team. Maybe not, but you have probably read a book or watched a film with a similar storyline. When I was around 13 years old my good friend lent me the series one comic book at a time. I was obsessed just like so many other kids from Korea and Japan. In fact, reading the series inspired me to start playing basketball. I played without fail every Saturday from early morning until the sun went down for about two years and played whenever possible after that into my thirties. Needless to say, basketball was really important to me.

Before I started playing basketball, I was a little overweight. After playing regularly for three years, I totally slimmed down. I also became much stronger and quick on my feet. I could run around the court for four to five hours a day. Most importantly, I learned all the rules and regulations of the game, and became a very skillful player. Eventually, I developed into a really good point guard, which allowed me to help the others on my team to get baskets.

Playing basketball taught me how to work cooperatively with others. I had to make sure that every pass I made would benefit the team. I always had to be alert so that I never missed a pass. The team depended on me to do my best as a point guard, and I didn’t want to disappoint them. After all, we would win or lose together. However, the game doesn’t go well just because I perform well alone. Each player must be faithful to their own role, and only when those roles work in harmony and the team moves as one can, we experience a joy that goes beyond winning or losing. Because of this dynamic, we grew to respect and care for one another.

Over the years of playing basketball, I met a lot of good people that I really admired. Most of them were, kind, considerate, focused and determined. Their behavior had a big influence on me. I aspired to be just like them. I always looked forward to playing, so I could spend time with the other players. Even though we sometimes got into arguments on and off the court, I developed really close relationships with all my teammates.

Without a doubt those were the happiest days of my life. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to Korea to play one more game with all of my former teammates.