Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
June 29, 2001, Washington Post

Going Pro: It's a Long Shot

Everyone's talking about Kwame Brown, the 19-year-old high school star the Wizards selected as the No. 1 NBA draft pick Wednesday night.

A lot of kids watching the draft on TV probably imagined what it was like to walk up on that podium and smile for the cameras.

Brown was smiling because he had just won one of the toughest competitions around. You see, lots of kids play basketball and dream of being a star in the NBA (or in the WNBA). But not many ever get to hear their names called out on draft day. Or ever play pro ball.

Hoops is a game of statistics. So let's take a look at some of the numbers.

Basketball is super-popular. More than 10 million kids play organized basketball in the United States, according to the National Council of Youth Sports. That doesn't even count the kids who are working on their jump shots at the playground.

At the high school level, the competition to make the team can get tough. Still, about 800,000 kids play on high school basketball teams.

What's really tough is getting to the pros.

Only 3 out of every 10,000 boys who play high school basketball ever make it to the pros, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It's even tough for the college players. Only 1 out of every 75 college players ever makes the jump to the big time.

So what's a kid to do? Stop playing? Stop dreaming?

No way.

Should you have a backup dream for your future? Sure. You can even dream about a life in sports. There are lots of sports jobs that need people who are good in math, science or writing (think: sports columnist!).

And who knows, maybe you will be that one-in-a-million player who is big enough, fast enough and good enough to make it to the top.

But even if you never lace up your sneakers for the NBA or for a college team, playing basketball can still be a blast.

First, hoops is just plain fun. Nothing beats watching that ball fly out of your hand and straight into the basket. Swish.

Second, playing basketball is a great way to get in shape. And to stay in shape.

Third, basketball is a team game. It's always cool to be part of a group that is trying to do something together.

Okay, so chances are you will never hear your name called on draft day. So what? It's still okay to play. And even dream a little.

Just don't put all your dreams in one basket.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company