NBA prospect Juwan Staten shows why LeBron had so much faith in him as West Virginia defeats Kansas

  

Juwan Staten reppin' West Virginia after huge W

    Seven years ago Juwan Staten was "The Man" in the state of Ohio. A junior at Thurgood Marshall out of Dayton, Staten had led his squad to the Ohio High School State Finals and had just fallen short of winning a state title, which had sent the All-State guard in tears. LeBron James, on the sideline watching Staten put on a show to keep the Cougars in the game, had consoled the young star, letting him know his future was bright, that he had balled out and dominated in the presence of one the best players in the NBA, all the while patting him on the back and hugging the distraught Staten.

LeBron consoles Staten at HS State Finals

     Staten would then go to a prep school his senior year, leaving Thurgood, to better prepare himself for college. He would use those words for inspiration that LeBron had left him. When he decided to stay at Dayton, the whole city was in shock. The best player in Ohio - who left for prep school - will comeback to play for his hometown?

This was sure to bring a level of respect, love and appreciation to Juwan, as he would be able to lead the Flyers to the promise land right?

In the words of Borat the Entertainer, "Not so much."

In a tumultuous year at UD, Staten decided to transfer after his freshman year. He was badgered by the city. He was dissed by the UD faithful. Called a quitter, a trader, and not loyal. It hurt him and his family, especially his father, Bill Staten, who had carefully watched his son throughout the whole process, and was not hesitant to step in, when he felt needed. Staten had coached at Thurgood and Colonel White, and heard all the negative words that was said about his son. Not to mention the fact that Staten wasn't starting his freshman year. Whether he was ready to start or not, is another story, but then-coach Brian Gregory decided to bring him along slowly, which was not happily taken by Staten. This caused a rift between Staten and the staff, and ultimately would lead to Staten heading to West Virginia.

 While that moment wasn't a storybook ending for Staten, this season sure has been, with his signature moment at the hands of the mighty Kansas Jayhawks.

   Staten was accepted by Huggins, and wasn't coddled by any means. Huggins wasn't sold on his sophomore prodigy. He wanted Staten to take more responsibility for his mistakes. Work harder. Show more. Become more mature.
So Staten did.

Staten GW shot vs Kansas

His junior year for the Mountaineers was phenomenal and you could see Huggins opening up to his star, all the while keeping him accountable. Staten made All-Big 12, and was selected this year as the Pre-Season Big 12 Player of the Year.

So with the Kansas Jayhawks leading by 1 with 9 seconds to go and Staten having missed his last two shots, who would get the ball?
Hmmm....Yep, you guessed it.

Staten went coast to coast with a smooth spin move and left hand layup to give the Montaineers the lead - then ran full speed down to the other end - beating everyone down the court, to rattle Perry Ellis into missing the shot and giving the Mountaineers the huge W, solidifying their March Madness hopes.
After the game, Staten quoted, "We keep fighting and believing. We didn't give up".

Im sure LeBron knew what he was watching that March day in Columbus.

Now the whole world knows as well.



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