To a basketball player - Wenbo Zhang

At the beginning of your journey, it might have been the glamour of the NBA that lured you into the game, or that exhilarating sound of a basketball swishing through the net. But not long after, what started off as a spurt of enthusiasm grew into a long-lasting passion. When other kids were at home playing video games or watching cartoons, you were standing in front of a basketball hoop, draining shots after shots until your arms stiffened and your legs wobbled. From free throws and layups to jumpers and three pointers, you practiced tirelessly, day after day, year after year.

When you arrive at college, the game intensifies and so does the academic rigor. After long hours of practice every day, you drag your heavy feet back to your dorm, only to find piles of homework impatiently awaiting you. They can be harder to tackle than seven-foot centers.

Aside from the tricky balance between your beloved basketball and the not-so-lovable homework, you also have to cope with all sorts of adversities on the court. Sometimes, the referees will suffer from temporary blindness, and the only thing you can do is sigh and walk away. Sometimes, other players will step on your toes by accident or knock you off your feet, and you must shake off the pain and fight on. Sometimes, the crowd will boo you when you are shooting free throws, and you just have to take a few deep breaths, fix your gaze on the hoop and shut out the rest of the world.

Losses are always the hardest to swallow. The more you relish victory, the more you dread defeat. Yet, you cannot afford to brood over that one devastating loss, as there will always be new battles to brace for. Over the years, you’ve learned to cast off defeats like dirty clothes, and move on with even fiercer fire in your eyes.

As a fan, I can only gape at that impossible layup you make during the game, but I have no idea how many hours you’ve put into perfecting the move. As a fan, I can only watch you win game after game in amazement, but I cannot guess how many losses you had to endure before arriving at this place. As a fan, I can only feast my eyes on the radiance you emit on the court but I fail to capture your silent tears, your muscle aches, and the voluminous perspiration dripping down your chin behind the scene. Basketball has made you into a true warrior — one that fights through pain and exhaustion and never buckles under pressure. I admire you for being such an athlete.