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Filed under: In The News, Amazing Kids
Basketball prodigy Jaylin Fleming, 10, is attracting attention not only from college coaches, but from the NBA.
"As far as his age, he's the best that I've seen," Refiloe Lethunya, a former Division I player, coach and NBA scout, tells the Chicago Tribune.
High school and college coaches have started courting Fleming, a 5-foot-1-inch fifth-grader at Beasley Academic Center in Chicago.
"They invite us to games and they call on a weekly basis and let us know that they're interested in him," says Fleming's dad, John Fleming. "They ask about his grades. They understand that it's 'no books, no ball.' And I'm not going to let him play if he's not doing what he's supposed to be doing in the classroom."
Some disagree with the practice of courting athletes this young.
"He represents much of what is wrong with our athletic system," says one NBA assistant who asked not to be identified. "He already has so many hands in the batter it is almost sickening. ... If he gets big and strong, stays healthy and is actually coachable ... he may succeed. (But) the track record for child prodigies is not an uplifting one."
So far, though, the pressure doesn't seem to be affecting Fleming. He is an A and B student, who does two hours of homework each night, goes to Bible study on Thursdays and plays video games and football with his younger brother, the Tribune reports.
"I never feel pressure to play," Fleming says. "I want to play basketball. I just stay humble and keep working hard."
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 3)
4-04-2010 @ 7:30AM
hendrickn said...sounds like he is grounded now, But he is 10 and hasn't gotten to H.S. Although he has recruits from the pros knocking now dad is controlling it. Soon enough the treatment will be different and there will be the girls and the teachers that will let him do what he wants and all the special treatment. He will change most likely...
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4-04-2010 @ 10:08AM
Wish Belkin said...This kid is going to be OK.
4-04-2010 @ 7:51AM
bob ram said...God bless that wonderful family----what a great dad
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4-04-2010 @ 7:56AM
Phillip said...They run, jump, play basketball and live off welfare. If it were not for sports they would still be in the cottonfields or climbing trees eating bananas.
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4-04-2010 @ 8:31AM
donna said...What a horrible world we live in because of people like you .Good luck to that talented little boy.
4-04-2010 @ 8:42AM
cbc396 said...And you post garbage like this. If it were not for the internet, you would be in a field somewhere wearing a white hood and burning a cross.
4-04-2010 @ 9:06AM
Tricia said...Phillip -- You are an unbridled BIGOT!!! Why not just keep you big, ignorant mouth SHUT?!! I'm a 56 year old mother and grandmother, and NEITHER of my children are prejudiced in any way --not all my doing -- they are simply a new generation, accepting of the differences in people! I still remember the turmoil of racial conflict of the 1960's -- We've all come a long way since then - Why don't you just grow up with the rest of us?.
4-04-2010 @ 9:44AM
Phillip said...Ok, OK, Im sorry everyone, I didnt mean what I said. I look back at what I said And I was really being terrible. The problem with me is that I grew up without love from my white family and so I get jealous of this black father and son. Im sorry. This boy really is talented.
4-04-2010 @ 1:31PM
Tony said...@ Phillip. Hmm! Did you not see this family house and how respectful his son is? Stop watching movies and listening to the media, because this is not the 80's! All "they" do is sit on welfare? Phillip, I normally don't step down to people like you, but if I give you my number could you please call me. Be a man and stop hiding behind a computer you redneck PUNK! It's a story about a 10 yr old ball player, not about race... I wish I could meet you coming out of your office building for a one on one Intelligent conversation. I'm a man and would love to send you my address, see I don't hide behind a computer
4-04-2010 @ 1:15PM
Butch said...The family might be on welfare. Jobs are hard to find.Seems like Dad is doing a fine job of keeping things in tract God family school sports, Maybe if you would have done this you wouldn't be writing such crap and degrading people you would like to be like
4-04-2010 @ 1:32PM
Tony said...@Phillip. You do know we have black senators and mayors and doctors, lawyers, Harvard professors, teachers, governors! Theirs million of African Americans in this world right? So you tell me everyone of them is playing ball and on welfare? How many black people you actually know that is receiving government assistance? name 5? You can't because you're reading the newspaper and don't know the facts.. The media is owned by whites, and I'm not using the race card. It's a known fact. I work and support my 2 kids. I pay taxes and go to school. I love that my tax dollar is going to help our people in need. You do know your taxes are going to whites too?
4-04-2010 @ 1:33PM
Tony said...Phillip.. Why don't you visit the hood and converse with the gang bangers and thugs that you're recruiting them to pick cotton and climb trees. I will walk with you to video tape the whole show for the nightly news.. I'm pissed that it's 2010 and we still are fighting about race.. PEOPLE, WE HAVE BAD PEOPLE IN EVERY RACE! I APOLOGIZE FOR THE BLACK THUGS THAT IS MAKING IT BAD FOR THE REAL WORKING EDUCATED BLACKS.. I'm raising my kids to love and respect others.
4-04-2010 @ 2:04PM
Janeyre said...Why are you talking about your family like that?
6-16-2010 @ 4:28AM
Mike said...God Bless America
4-04-2010 @ 8:00AM
J Beals said...He sounds like a great person and I hope he does well in life whether it's playing basketball or something else.
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4-04-2010 @ 8:02AM
joeswatzell said...Ya gotta love a 10 tear old who describes himself as "humble"...and Phillip...you are an idiot.
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4-04-2010 @ 9:43AM
duffhessian1776 said...anyone (young or old) who calls himself humble...isn't.
4-04-2010 @ 8:04AM
Brownsu243 said...I say leave the child alone!! He's only 10 years old for God's sake!! Let him enjoy his life, going to school, playing the game for fun without any pressure. I commend his father who says his education comes first, which is how it should be!! Keep up the good work Dad, don't let the scouts fill your son's head with dreams of big money. His education is what will carry him through life, that no one can take away from him.
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4-04-2010 @ 8:03AM
Dennis said...You go for it ..... little man ! God bless you.
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4-04-2010 @ 8:04AM
joeswatzell said...Sorry...I meant 10 YEAR old...and Phillip is still an idiot.
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