The basketball world is watching Jaylin Fleming. College and high school coaches are circling, inviting him to games and camps. He has established himself on the all-important AAU circuit. And he has already worked out with the Knicks and with the Bulls' Derrick Rose. The Knicks head athletic trainer, Roger Hinds, says he has never seen a kid like Jaylin and that he is a basketball prodigy. Not surprisingly, college recruiters have begun the courting process. Jaylin is regarded as the most talented 10 year old basketball player in the country. The 5' fifth-grader is merely a very humble child who's trying to achieve his goal. Jaylin attends Beasley Academic Center in Chicago, and he's the most talented basketball player for his age and whose basketball skills promise to be the next Michael or even better.
Jaylin was born in Chicago, Illinois, he and his younger brother Jericho live with their parents John and Kafi Fleming, who strongly believe their two sons were born for great things. When Jaylin was born doctors and nurses admired how big his hands were for a newborn. "All the doctors and nurses noticed his hands, they were incredibly huge, and I was praying and asking God, what would Jaylin be, what would he do with those hands?" said John Fleming. He never worried much about that, Jaylin was an exceptional young boy, a straight "A" student, well behaved, healthy and very athletic.
So when did this basketball thing start to happen? Well it all started when he was just six years old and he joined his father and his father’s godson Maurice Acker, Marquette University’s point guard to shoot some hoops. When his father went to the bathroom, he left Jaylin with Maurice. When he came back his son had some cool stuff to show his father, he had learned in a matter of minutes some of Maurice’s moves. When no one had ever taught him any, John describes this moment as when God answered his question about what would Jaylin be with his great hands. "When I walked back in, Maurice told me what Jaylin was doing with the ball and I could hear God saying this is what he’s supposed to do," John Fleming said. "He gave me the understanding to see that Jaylin was born to play this game."
Jaylin is involved with his school’s basketball team at Beasley Academic Center.He takes time to train with his father, his team, and still has time to do his homework, play video games, play with his brother Jericho and attend to his Bible study. When asked what is his favorite verse or lesson from the Bible, Jaylin said Philippians 3:16, but corrected himself saying Phillipians 4:13. The verse says, "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me".
You might be wondering if that is too much for a fifth grader, but Kafi said that all things are done at Jaylin’s request, and when it is getting too much, they tell their son to slow down. Jaylin says he never feels pressured to play and wants to always play basketball. And that he just stays humble and keeps working hard.Everybody who knows Jaylin thinks he is very mature, not selfish, well grounded, extremely talented, highly intelligent and clever...a great kid who loves to eat cheese pizza and sausage. Jaylin loves his life and at this time, he is right where he wants to be. He appears to really have his head on straight. He loves math and his favorite player is Chris Paul. Some think of him as an out of this world talented kid, most think of him as a terrific kid whose skills and charisma will take him anywhere he wants to go.
Is recruiting on the table right now? It’s not permitted until he gets to sixth grade, but he is drawing attention all over the U.S if not the world. He is just a 10 year old basketball star for now, who enjoys all the little things that most 10 yr. old's do, except this mighty mite is going to be a basketball icon sooner than we realize.
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