A lot of fifth graders like playing basketball, but few of them play with the style and grace of Jaylin Fleming. The ten year old is considered the best 10 year old player in America. Jaylin’s instincts for basketball may be preternaturally good, but it’s his calm, thoughtful charisma that makes us think there really may be a star in the making here. His family is a big part of who Jaylin is. Unlike a lot of parents with child prodigy’s on their hands, Jaylin’s parents are making a point of keeping their kid a kid. He does his school work and his chores, reads his Bible and speaks of his parents with the kind of assurance that only kids who feel truly secure at home can. The Fleming’s don’t even have a basketball court at home. Jaylin’s father feels that when they’re home, they should be home, not focused on the game.
Keeping Jaylin’s feet on the ground is important, being good at basketball at age 10 doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be a great adult player. If he doesn’t grow up tall enough, or fast enough, to play pro-ball then Jaylin will have to be prepared to move on to a new passion in life. Seeing him talk, it seems likely that this kid can handle anything that comes his way. Watching him play we can only hope he grows up with the size and reflexes he’ll need to keep playing the game – his combination of joyful enthusiasm, focus and flair doesn’t come along very often.
