And One?

Just like Michael Jordan, a young David Strukel was the last one cut on his basketball team during his sophomore season. Instead of giving up the sport, he joined an intramural team by the name of Toxic Waste and played at the Massillon Boys Club. In honor of his basketball idol, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David wore number 33 across the chest of his royal blue and Michigan yellow jersey. Although Strukel was a baller and the leading scorer, the team was not impressive with a record of 2-10. 

One game, in particular, where Strukel stood out was when they played The Skinny Boys. "I knew we were going to lose," Strukel said. "It was just about how many points I was going to get." 

Toxic Waste dug themselves a hole early with a 20 point deficit. Despite the huge gap on the scoreboard, David was having an all star night. "I was killing it," Strukel stated. "I was nailing shots left and right." With three minutes left in the first half Strukel led a two on one fast break. At this point in the game, he had 22 points and was on fire. Instead of giving up the rock, he jump stopped at the top of the free throw line and decided to make something happen by himself. The next play, changed the dynamic of the game and David's career. His defender reached for the ball, but missed and collided heads with him. Thinking it was clearly a foul, Strukel threw the ball up hoping for the best. He banked it in, but to his surprise there was no whistle from the referee. 

Blood starting gushing down David's face like a waterfall. "All I remember was a bunch of girls screaming 'ew, how gross!". 

David rushed home to tend to his wound instead of going to the hospital. After this game, he never played intramural basketball again.