Greatness

I wrote this article in 2005 at the request of a friend. Travis Bledsoe was a point guard at De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, MN. I gave him a call and did an interview for this article. I guess the real purpose of it was to shine a light on someone who more than deserved the attention and accolades. I'm not really sure where life led Travis, but for that moment in time he was Greatness.



In addition, I think that certain elements of this piece resonate with every person that feels unappreciated, unrecognized or just plain irrelevant. Regardless of the blood, sweat, and tears you may give in pursuit of your dreams, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent.

Don't ever stop. Don't ever give up. Don't ever quit. Part of the journey is struggle and the view from the top is much better than the one from the bottom.



In due time we shall reap, if we faint not.



How do you define greatness? Is it by the points scored or minutes played?Is it by rebounds collected or assists handed out? How do you characterize a person’s legacy? Is it by his leadership qualities, his heart, or his phenomenal talents? To truly know the greatness of a player you have to examine him. You have to take a look at his strengths and weaknesses. To really see greatness you have to focus because sometimes it hides under the blinding brightness that pomp and circumstance radiate. Oftentimes greatness does not come from the most obvious places. Sometimes you have to investigate; you have to look behind buildings and under bridges until your search brings you to De LaSalle Senior High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.



You have to explore until your search brings you to Travis Bledsoe.


Greatness is an exceptional quality. Oftentimes, it takes unique circumstances for greatness to unravel itself completely. Travis Bledsoe has been a varsity level talent since the 9th grade. Sadly, it took the combination of an injury and ineptitude for Bledsoe’s formidable talents to shine through. The masses now have exposure to the phenomenon DeLaSalle coaches and players have been privy to for years. He is a player of singular focus. One who plays to win but knows that it is harder to defend five players than one. Somewhere along the line, this young man learned the necessity of family, of togetherness. Therefore, he shares the ball and the spotlight. For the humble where does praise come? He will not praise himself but rest assured praise is due.


A few years ago a meeting took place that formed the scenario that we have today. Bledsoe met his coach when he was in the 8th grade. Call it fate. Call it a helping hand. Call it yet another young man saved by the game. The focus of a youth completely consumed by the game of basketball is rare for someone like Travis. His life and neighborhood aren't really breeding grounds for exceptional athletes. For all the Hard Knock Life stories that have been uttered, know that they are real, they are genuine, and they are tangible. Know that hearing another should make you appreciate what it is that you see before you.


The north side of Minneapolis serves as a proving ground for young men every year. Some survive and make lives filled with the attaining of goals and reaching beyond the city limits to greater heights. Others fall victim to the allure of the familiar and walk down the boulevard of broken dreams. One road, two paths and Travis Bledsoe made a choice when he was 13 years old that would take him somewhere he could only imagine then. Travis left his place of familiarity for a location where he could display his refined talents for an audience with a little more to offer. Minneapolis North or Henry would have been a great place for the homegrown youth to take ahold of and carry the torch of the next great Minneapolis guard. Instead, he went where his heart led him.


The time it takes a choice to be made and for the brilliance of that choice to be uncovered can sometimes be trying. Four full years later Travis Bledsoe is not known as the high school phenom he should be. Opponents and opposing coaches know him. High school beat writers know of his exploits. Some might say he gets respect in the “hood” but not a foot outside of it. Moreover, this is where we arrive at the true travesty. Writers will soon bestow the title of Mr. Basketball for the state of Minnesota upon some deserving prep player. The recipient should, without a doubt, have been a distinguished guard out of DeLaSalle Senior High School. For him, Mr. Basketball was not a player of the year award; it was a lifetime achievement award.


Greatness is a characteristic that displays itself in the most trying of situations.When a team from Compton, California descended upon the Twin Cities to add a victory to their overall season record and add miles to their frequent flyer total, they met resistance from greatness.They left with the miles and not the victory. A recent city All-Star Game provided the best competition that the Twin Cities could provide and again greatness stole the show. The state of Minnesota has decided that Travis Bledsoe is only fit to be a finalist for Mr. Basketball. Let us now resolve that he is the “real” Mr. Basketball.



He is the personification of hard work, determination and persistence.


Congrats, Mr. Travis Bledsoe.



We see you.