Feeling Good on the Court

Darick John B. De Leon is a student at CSU East Bay

by Darick John B. De Leon

            I am very good. I am very good because I have a family that supports me, a girlfriend that loves me unconditionally, and friends that have my back. I am also very good because I recently started school and will be on my way to a good career. Though I am good, I do have my days of struggle. I am a working student so money at times can be a problem. My schedule everyday is to go to school in the morning and work at night. I have to travel about 90 miles a day just to get to school, then to work, and then back home. I don’t have much of down time, but I like it that way. I am fortunate that I was able to find a job that I love. Besides my family, and my girlfriend, there are two things I love most. I love the game of basketball, and I love working with children. Eight years ago I was hired as a basketball coach at a private basketball company called Nothing But Hoops. Here we host and conduct all different kinds of basketball activities. I believe that working with kids through basketball takes away my daily stress. When I’m on a basketball court I feel as if I’m home. The daily struggles I have is forgotten once I’m working with children on a basketball court. I am very good because I’ve been fortunate and blessed to have my job.

Nothing But Hoops has given so many opportunities. Besides working for the company they have allowed me to start my own. I was able to start my own club basketball organization called NBH Renegades. As a kid I played in so many basketball teams that travelled and competed all over the United States. That experience lead me to have a great appreciation of what basketball can do to change a kids life. Basketball didn’t only give me a game to play, but also lessons that I use in everyday life. My vision when I started the company was to give those same lessons I learned through basketball to other kids. In 2010, the organization only had 1 team, today the organization now has 12 teams. 7 boys team and 5 girls team. My goal in life to make a difference, and I believe I’m doing through the NBH Renegades organization and that is why “I AM VERY GOOD.”

I believe that the secret to finding great mental health is to surround yourself with positive individuals. This creates positive thinking, and encourages positive thinking. Everyone goes though negative situations, but those negative situations will stay that way unless you create a positive solution. I know its very difficult to stay positive during bad times, but the thing that keeps me going is my down syndrome brother. My brother has been a blessing not just to my family, but also to the people that has gotten to know him. My bad experience doesn’t even compare to what he goes through in his everyday life, but he manages to keep a smile on his face and a love for life and that is why I am a positive person.