Post by Okwes on Jun 7, 2006 8:47:12 GMT -5
6'9 Chippewa/Navajo Man Ready To Join Miami Heat
Pictures at: www.nativeyouthmagazine.com/profiles_view.php?pfcid=8&pfid=365
By Mary Kim Titla
Imagine having Shaquille O'Neal as a teammate. It could happen to Marshall Waybenais. The 6'9" Chippewa/Navajo man is already traveling with the Miami Heat during the Eastern Conference playoffs as he waits for official word on a final deal that could land him a spot on the roster.
Waybenais, 25, took a break from the playoffs in late May to speak at an 8th grade promotion ceremony at Greasewood Springs Community School on the Navajo reservation. "When I was in the third grade, I was watching Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan go against one another (on TV). It really inspired me. I wanted to follow in their footsteps," said Waybenais to the 8th grade graduating class. "My father didn't take it seriously. I said I wanted to be the first Native American to play in the NBA. He said yeah o-k," Waybenais added.
Waybenais, from Yah-ta-hey, New Mexico, gives his father credit for helping shape his career. "He told me three things. He said first, carry a basketball wherever you go. Second, study hard because you can't continue your education if you don't get a scholarship and third, pray," said Waybenais. Waybenais took that advice to heart as he pursued his dream but after he finished high school in Gallup, he says the phones calls from recruiters stopped when they found out he was Native American. "They were afraid I would just drop out of school," Waybenais said. He ended up playing at a small junior college in Colorado. At the time he was 6'6" and weighed only 180 pounds. As Waybenais continued to grow and gain weight, he worked hard on developing his skills. The hard work paid off as he earned All-Conference honors.
"There are certain people who want a certain lifestyle now. They don't want to work hard. They start drug dealing but it's short lived. They don't know when their last day will be. They're trying to take short cuts. I've learned there are no short cuts in life. There's no substitutes for hard work," Waybenais said.
Not only does he want to play in the NBA, Waybenais hopes some day to represent the U.S. in the Olympics. "If you want it bad enough and you're willing to work hard, you'll achieve your goal. Don't let anyone tell you any different," he said.
After the promotion ceremony, which also featured Native Youth Magazine Publisher Mary Kim Titla, Waybenais and his wife Selena conducted a small basketball clinic. Selena, Taiwanese, is a former basketball player.
Pictures at: www.nativeyouthmagazine.com/profiles_view.php?pfcid=8&pfid=365
By Mary Kim Titla
Imagine having Shaquille O'Neal as a teammate. It could happen to Marshall Waybenais. The 6'9" Chippewa/Navajo man is already traveling with the Miami Heat during the Eastern Conference playoffs as he waits for official word on a final deal that could land him a spot on the roster.
Waybenais, 25, took a break from the playoffs in late May to speak at an 8th grade promotion ceremony at Greasewood Springs Community School on the Navajo reservation. "When I was in the third grade, I was watching Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan go against one another (on TV). It really inspired me. I wanted to follow in their footsteps," said Waybenais to the 8th grade graduating class. "My father didn't take it seriously. I said I wanted to be the first Native American to play in the NBA. He said yeah o-k," Waybenais added.
Waybenais, from Yah-ta-hey, New Mexico, gives his father credit for helping shape his career. "He told me three things. He said first, carry a basketball wherever you go. Second, study hard because you can't continue your education if you don't get a scholarship and third, pray," said Waybenais. Waybenais took that advice to heart as he pursued his dream but after he finished high school in Gallup, he says the phones calls from recruiters stopped when they found out he was Native American. "They were afraid I would just drop out of school," Waybenais said. He ended up playing at a small junior college in Colorado. At the time he was 6'6" and weighed only 180 pounds. As Waybenais continued to grow and gain weight, he worked hard on developing his skills. The hard work paid off as he earned All-Conference honors.
"There are certain people who want a certain lifestyle now. They don't want to work hard. They start drug dealing but it's short lived. They don't know when their last day will be. They're trying to take short cuts. I've learned there are no short cuts in life. There's no substitutes for hard work," Waybenais said.
Not only does he want to play in the NBA, Waybenais hopes some day to represent the U.S. in the Olympics. "If you want it bad enough and you're willing to work hard, you'll achieve your goal. Don't let anyone tell you any different," he said.
After the promotion ceremony, which also featured Native Youth Magazine Publisher Mary Kim Titla, Waybenais and his wife Selena conducted a small basketball clinic. Selena, Taiwanese, is a former basketball player.