Popular Education and Sports: Unraveling the NBA Myth

I extensively enjoyed the readings on popular education and sports. Sports as a topic of conversation, or as an activity is one that many of the young men (and women) I work with thoroughly enjoy. If all else fails a basketball is sure to get them engaged. At one point in the article The Popular Racial Order of Urban America: Sports, Identity, and the Politics of Culture the author's attest that "sports carries with it the most legible form of cultural shorthand for understanding the operation of power in a given context." I agree with this as statement wholeheartedly. It carries with it baggage and hidden information politically many young people are not aware of. Many young men of color "buy into" the idea that a full ride sports scholarship is their only way out the hood. While many of these young men study the sport, play the game often, and believe they have potential to get "discovered" and eventually make it into the NBA the reality is many, if not all, will likely not be given the opportunity.

I have struggled over the years to find ways to circumvent this dream by asking them to think about a "plan b" career as back up in case the NBA no longer becomes an option. Responses vary but in large many believe they have a fighting chance. I have developed the following lesson to help generate conversation about career choices in general, yet offer factual, practical information to assist them in making a more informed career choice.

Unraveling the NBA Myth

Learning Objectives:

• The examine the “player” capacity of the NBA organization

• To determine where the organization drafts its players

• To discuss the characteristics of a “good athlete”

• To foster critical thinking and reflection

Learning Domains:

• Math

• Geography

• Research

• Critical thinking

• Context and Audience

Context
Non formal learning environment– after school program, faith based, camping program

Audience
Middle school youth, created with boys in mind

Lesson, Day 1

• View the movie “He got game” and conduct a video critique. A video critique is a worksheet designed to promote heightened awareness and document/respond to key points of movie
  

• Students offer their reaction to the movie and discuss general themes

• Discuss drafting and how it takes place, relating it to this movie and others they may be familiar with

Homework

• Research your favorite NBA player and learn more about his story. Come prepared to share this story with the group.

Lesson, Day 2

• Review previous session

• Share personal stories ( in dyads) of their favorite NBA player based on their research, highlight drafting stories

• Reflection: What do these stories have in common?
  

• Discuss the probability of being drafted into the NBA using marbles, or jellybeans as visuals

Lesson, Day 3

• Explore “what makes a good athlete”. Allow youth to determine the characteristics.

• Discuss personal lifestyles/habits/ways of being that contribute to being a good athlete

• Invite in a local athlete (college ball player) to discuss his personal story

• Youth create a writing piece on what they’ve learned and its impact