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NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson pauses during the basketball clinic to speak with TransWeb.by Doug Armstrong
NBA San Antonio Spur Sean Elliott shares some personal thoughts about the kidney he received from his brother Noel.by Doug Armstrong and Randy Milgrom
  Mike Binder, heart recipient from McDonald, OH, moments after Team Ohio's quarterfinal win in men's basketball.by Doug Armstrong
  Eighteen year old Team Indiana transplant athlete Nick Winn talks to TransWeb about his experiences in his fourth U.S. Transplant games. by Bob Garypie
by Doug Armstrong, David Katz, and Matthew Quirk
Available at Intramurals.com
Wood, Sweat,and Tears by Mark Gravel
  No Place for the Weak-Minded by Randy H. Milgrom
 
Wood, Sweat,and Tears

by Mark Gravel

The stage was set for the first night of the 2000 US Transplant Games single-elimination 3-on-3-basketball tournament. According to Disney's Wide World of Sport's staff member Ed O'Donnell the Fieldhouse had been completely converted from the badminton tourney staged earlier in the day, to the basketball tournament, all in only three hours.

Like a small child's hand reaching into the cookie jar the ball is effortlessly launched by the player's right hand into the air.

The Fieldhouse fills with basketball players hanging around rims eagerly waiting for a stray rebound to bounce their way. There's a fake right, a sharp spin to the left, two rapid dribbles, a quick jump and finish with the shoot. Like a small child's hand reaching into the cookie jar the ball is effortlessly launched by the player's right hand into the air. Eyes are drawn to the ball's lines as they rotate perfectly through the air towards and through the basket. The net snaps, making a sweet swish sound that resounds towards the shooter's ears. Except the shooter, no one really notices but the perfect move and shot has been completed. Everyone is full of promise and shining like stars.

A player casually comments to his teammates: "One time I scored 30 points..." then pauses.

"...in warm-ups." His teammates laugh as they exchange congratulatory high-fives.

The seats surround the hardwood floors are packed with family members and friends. Other onlookers occuppy balcony seats and second floor railings. 54 teams containing up to 6 players are competing in one of four divisions. There are 9 men's open, 6 youth open, 17 co-ed and 22 men's recreation teams entered. Each game is half-court with two 15 minute halves and an official. Local volunteers help keep score and run the clock.

Although each player is unique as a person they share a special bond: they have all received some type of life-saving transplant. But they are also players who still have a love for the game of basketball and a desire to compete. Too, they are people who want the world to understand that they are just like everyone else; that transplantation helped restore them to an active quality to life.

They just had to make a few more jump-fakes before completing their perfect shot.

 

 
 
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