Why I appreciate HCBS

While watching the Thursdays press conference for HCBS, I had to smile and felt a warmth in my heart for the following. (Quoting from KUSports.com)

Bill Self was asked about how he plans to manage the emotions of Udoka Azubuike, who is looking forward to seeing his mother for the first time since moving to the United States to improve as a basketball player.

“That's a great question, because (Azubuike) hasn't seen his mother in almost six years. And he lost his father, I think, when he was in seventh or eighth grade,” Self said. “So if you can imagine, she loved her son so much that she sent him away when he's 14 or 13 years old, because Dok, he just turned 18 years old. So how hard would that be?

“And we want to win the game, but is winning the game more important than to make sure there's not a little distraction for Dok? Of course not.”

The Dok story is probably the biggest heart-string-puller since T-Rob was essentially "adopted" by Mom Morris and so many fans and alumni pulled together to support him after his personal tragedy.

This, thankfully, is a much happier story. Just doing the math on this, and Dok has been away from his mom for about 1/3 of his life, living in a foreign country on the other side of the world from her. Both of them must be so excited to be reunited. Gonna be a lot of tears and I'm kind of fighting them off as I type this.

Selfishly, I hope they catch the reunion on video for us to see. Realistically, it doesn't matter at all. This is a truly beautiful thing and I'm happy the NCAA is doing this.

As for motivation, I think it'll help and won't be a distraction. If you were Dok and wanted to show your momma what you've been up to for the past 6 years, wouldn't you think this would be great opportunity to have a triple double? I sure do.

great posts and of course many coaches ( roy, squid, etc) would say exactly the same thing. the difference is that bill actually means it. thats what sets him apart. massive skills, hugely competitive, but a humanity that is unusual in this profession.

I know how much I miss my mom when I’m away from her for a few months....I cannot imagine Dok and his Mom being apart so long and he’s so young.

For as much as I’d love to see Mom and Dok’s seeing each other.....oh my goodness, it’ll take me a long time to turn off the waterworks!!!

Rock chalk!!!