I’m Tyrell and I am 16. Ever since I can remember, I’ve had this big dream of making it to the NBA. It’s not just about playing basketball – it’s about making a better life for my mom and my siblings. My mom’s been our rock, raising me and my four siblings on her own. I owe her everything.
I’ve always been good at basketball. Back in 8th grade, I was one of the top players in Hartford County. Everyone said I had a bright future in high school basketball, and I believed them. But then, everything changed. My little brother, he got caught up in something terrible – a drive-by shooting. He was just 16 and got sentenced to jail. That hit me hard, real hard. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t play. I started missing school, and before I knew it, I’d missed my entire sophomore year.
I knew I had to get back on track, not just for me, but for my family. So, I returned to school. But with my age and the credits I’d missed, the usual path just wasn’t going to work for me. That’s when I was sponsored by Educate the Children Foundation. They gave me a chance to earn my GED.
Every day, I’m working towards that diploma, and I haven’t given up on my basketball dreams. I’m training, playing, doing everything I can to be better. It’s not just about basketball anymore – it’s about proving to myself and to my family that no matter what life throws at you, you can bounce back. You can still make your dreams come true. And one day, I’m going to make mine a reality.
I was sponsored by Educate the Children Foundation. They gave me a chance to earn my GED.