Brandon Roy: The Man Who Never Gave Up
Brandon Roy is one of those basketball players you just can’t forget. Not because he set records or won championships, but because he played with brains, style, and heart. His career was short but bright.
Today, Roy remains an important figure in American basketball, albeit not as a player.
Personal life
Brandon Roy was born on July 23, 1984, in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in a poor family and was the first of his relatives to go to college. School was not easy for Roy, who had difficulty reading and taking tests, causing him to fail the SAT several times. Before getting into college, he even worked on the docks cleaning containers for $11 an hour. But his persistence paid off.
He is married and has children. His family has always been his rock, especially during difficult times when his career was hanging in the balance and his health was failing.
Playing career
Roy graduated from high school in his native Seattle and then enrolled at the University of Washington. In four years, he became the team’s leader and the Pac-10 Conference’s best player. In 2006, he was selected sixth overall in the NBA draft and almost immediately joined the Portland Trail Blazers.
From his first seasons in the NBA, Roy became the team’s leader. In his debut season, he was named Rookie of the Year. From 2008 to 2010, he participated in the All-Star Game three times and was named to the All-NBA Second Team twice. His intelligent, thoughtful, yet aggressive style of play at the right moments earned him the admiration of even players such as Kobe Bryant. Kobe once said, “Brandon Roy is the toughest opponent in the West. He has no weaknesses.”
Major NBA achievements:
- Three-time All-Star
- Second and third team All-NBA
- Rookie of the Year (2007)
Career averages: 18.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game
The Legacy
Brandon Roy did not win any titles or spend a decade on the court. But he became a symbol of honest, beautiful, and courageous play. He is remembered for:
- His ability to decide the outcome of a game in the final moments of the 2008–2009 season, when he had 24 shots that tied or put his team ahead in the last 35 seconds;
- A game against Phoenix where he scored 52 points;
- He also played with a knee injury in the 2010 playoffs, when he returned after surgery just eight days later and led his team to victory.
Unfortunately, his knees began to deteriorate too early. Due to a lack of cartilage, he underwent several surgeries, missed many games, and was forced to end his career in 2011. He was only 27 years old.
What He’s Doing Now
After retiring, Roy did not leave basketball. In 2016, he became head coach of the Nathan Hale school team in Seattle. In his first season, he won the state championship and was named the best high school coach in the United States. He now works at his alma mater, Garfield High School. Under his leadership, the team has won the state championship three times.
Roy doesn’t coach for fame; he helps teenagers believe in themselves, teaching them not only technique but also character. His story and his calm, respectful manner make him the perfect mentor.
Brandon Roy’s story is an example of how you can never give up, even when fate is not on your side. He could have been an NBA superstar, but injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential. Nevertheless, he found a way to stay in the game, now as a coach and mentor. And perhaps his contribution to basketball is only just beginning.