Ennis and Greene: Sacrifice and Dedication

OJ Mayo's left and right biceps have large ink tattoos that read, "Sacrifice" and "Determination." They're pretty cool to see, but noticing them recently flashed me back to 1986 and my freshman year at Ventura High. I had a real hoops hero to look up to in 6-foot-6 Cedric Ceballos and his point guard 5-foot-7 Pooky Wiggington that won a state championship the year before.

How many JC stars take the time to go play with high school ballers like us in 6th period? It was fantastic to have them show us the ropes and see 1st rate hoops! Ceballos went on to star for Cal St. Fullerton, and made his name in the "L" for the Suns and Lakers. Wiggington played for Seton Hall and was in the championship NCAA game against Michigan.

Cedric Ceballos was a cool guy to talk to when I went to Ventura College.  I remember seeing him practice long hours on the outside courts during the summer.  I'd always jibe him for being out there in the cold air, to which he'd reply,  "Just practicing to make that league." Years later when I taught 4th grade with his mom Francine at our elementary school near USC, I'd  remind her how inspirational he was to me to see him play, how proud I was of him for what he overcame.

Few people know that "Ced" was hit by a big truck a year before entering the draft. I was riding my bike and saw him bleeding as I stopped to tell him "You'll be o.k. Ced, you'll still have what it takes to make that league." When I tore my tendons while trying to slam dunk at the age of 40 last year, I took inspiration from seeing him overcome his injury, I knew I could overcome mine as well.

Fast forward from 86' to 2008.  I almost fell over  the first time I met James Ennis, how similar he physically looked like Ced, his ultra athletic game, taking off near the free throw line for dunks like my old buddy. It was like déjà vu all over again. What impressed me most about Ennis was that same driven look on his face. I would see Ennis at the local Colonia Recreation Center in Oxnard, or my 24 Hour Fitness in Camarilllo. Instead of dominating every play, he was just like Ced in being gracious to other kids trying to show their game.

James was a selfless and old-school player, a joy to see in this selfish world we live in.

Ennis was a Parade Magazine All-American in high school, and an elite high jumper for Ventura College last year before transferring to play for Long Beach State. Seeing his sheer effort to improve his game in college, striving to be one of the best in the state, he just did as Ceballos did a generation before.

I called Ennis last week to congratulate him on scoring 20 points against Pittsburgh earlier in the season. I asked him if he was happy with his transfer choice, to which he told me, "I love playing here. Everyone is supportive and it's easy for my friends and family back home to see me play. I'm going to try and play unselfish this year for Long Beach and try to make my NBA dreams come true".

Ennis is a dedicated student, he says he constantly studies for his classes as a communications major, "I like the classes here, it's not too different than back home. I picked this school because the major was right for me, it's about working with a special group of people to help you complete your goals."

The next segment of this story will  shine the light on a "mighty might" of a player named Sean Greene from Hueneme High, who played down the street from Ennis in 2005. What is special about Greene is that he could've signed with major programs on the west coast, the sand could've run through his toes all through college, but he chose North Dakota for the most special reason of all: A coach who fully believed in him.

Part II next week….