Many people envision sports stars as pinnacles of determination and discipline, and many professional athletes have proven how hard they had to work to be better than all the competition out there. But for those with the drive and grit to work hard and outshine their peers, professional sports can open up many tantalizing doors.
Few know the draw of being a professional athlete as well as the former NBA star Delonte West. Although he eventually made it to the big leagues, West started life in a position that didn’t offer him many options. The basketball player easily had one of the toughest childhoods out of his professional peer set.
Delonte West on March 8, 2011 in Lynn, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
West’s parents had been divorced since he was a young boy, and his family never had much money. At school, he was bullied incessantly because of various things, but his red hair was a particular point of attraction for his tormentors. He felt like an outsider with no real place to call his own.
In September 2009, West was stopped by police in Washington, D.C., pulled off of his motorcycle, and searched.
That was until the young boy discovered basketball. West exhibited extraordinary talent in the sport from a young age and started to invest almost all of his time into honing his skills. However, he had his first serious injury at the age of 12, when he hurt his leg. Being sidelined also gave West his first taste of a deep depression.
Delonte West with Caressa Madden and Cash West on April 1, 2015 in Frisco, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Nonetheless, West recovered and found his way back to the court, where he rocketed to the top of his peer group once more. Soon, he excelled in college basketball, and with an excellent record, he was finally drafted. Starting out with the Celtics and ending up with the Cavaliers, West landed a $16 million contract.
West’s Fame and His Fiery Fall
West had made his childhood dreams of playing in the NBA a reality. He stood beside basketball greats such as LeBron James, and although he had a rocky start in the NBA, with numerous injuries holding him back, it was clear he had the skills to justify his position. But a psychological evaluation would soon shake the athlete.
Few people knew where to look for the NBA athlete,...
