Guys Read: The Choice: A Short Story from Guys Read: The Sports Pages

CBS NFL Today anchor James Brown recounts the true story of how the decision he made as a young college basketball star shaped his life forever. Tireless blacktop practice became his true foundation under legendary DeMatha coach Morgan Wootten.

Soon, recruiting letters arrived from powerhouse programs across the country, including Dean Smith’s Tar Heels and John Wooden’s Bruins. His parents’ strict emphasis on academics remained an absolute priority.

Choosing Harvard meant trading big-time athletic glory for a rigorous education that opened doors far beyond the court. This short story from the collection Guys Read: The Sports Pages is a winner.

• Short Stories for Kids: From blowing an uncontested eighth-grade layup to ducking sharp-breaking curveballs in youth baseball, James shares the awkward early setbacks that pushed him toward basketball.
• True Sports Stories: Relive the intense recruitment battle across the country, complete with letters from over two hundred schools and an unexpected personal meeting on Capitol Hill with Senator Ted Kennedy.
• College Basketball: Revisit his unforgettable thirty-six-point scoring tear across the Charles River against Boston University, celebrated in red zip-up boots and a full-length white leather coat.
• Inspiring Role Models: Drawing inspiration from Princeton legend Bill Bradley, James set out to prove that rigorous Ivy League academics and serious athletic ambition could go hand in hand.