Part 1: From Cotton Fields to Basketball Glory: Spencer Haywood's Journey

Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation

Join us for an inspiring and powerful episode as we sit down with Spencer Haywood, an NBA legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Born into the harsh realities of the segregated Mississippi Delta, Spencer was one of ten children growing up in a shantytown, picking cotton and facing the brutalities of racism and the KKK. Amidst the violence and oppression, Spencer's spiritual mother provided him with the strength and faith to rise above his circumstances.

In this candid interview, Spencer shares vivid memories of extreme poverty, including dumpster diving for toys and surviving on sugar-water for dinner. He recounts the terrifying experience of being jailed in high school for speaking too loudly at a country club and the heartbreak of his bus journey to Chicago, only to find his cousins living in similar poverty.

Despite these challenges, Spencer's basketball talent shone brightly. At Trinidad State Junior College, he averaged 28.2 points and 22.1 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic team at just 19 years old. Leading the team in scoring, he helped secure a gold medal and set a Team USA field goal percentage record.

Spencer's journey from the ABA to the NBA is legendary, overcoming league rules to join the Denver Rockets and becoming the youngest MVP in ABA history. His incredible performance continued with the Seattle SuperSonics and other NBA teams, despite facing personal battles with addiction.

Spencer’s story is not just about basketball but resilience, faith, and the unwavering support of his mother. Tune in to hear his remarkable journey from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the heights of professional basketball, and how he became an enduring symbol of hope and determination.

Don't miss this extraordinary episode of "From Cotton Fields to Basketball Glory: Spencer Haywood's Journey."