Everyone is given different choices in life.

Every option leads them down their journey and toward their goals.

Some professional athletes take on possible career-ending injuries, while others have life’s obstacles standing in their way. But all of these challenges lead the athletes to overcome and reach success with hard work and dedication.

The same holds true for NIU freshman Darion “Jake” Anderson.

As a high school senior, Jake had a goal of playing basketball at the collegiate level. But his dreams were put on hold when he realized he needed to put a bigger emphasis on education.

“The toughest thing as a student was the ACT,” he said. “I didn’t receive the score that I needed to qualify to play basketball in college.”

Anderson said it was a terrible feeling to know he did not do well. He couldn’t take pride in his scores. He wanted to change his academic performance to pursue his dreams.

Keeping in mind he should go forward rather than backward, Anderson had to face a tough life choice, a choice that would steer his life’s journey. It was a choice of giving up or persevering.

But it wasn’t a choice he would make alone.

Anderson debated his future with the ones he loved. His mother and aunt pushed him to overcome his academic obstacle and reach for his dreams.

“My mother and aunt always said I had options,” Anderson said. “And there’s always more than one option.”

The realization of ineligibility would alter Anderson’s journey. Although it would make his path longer, it would lead him to his goal of playing college basketball.

Anderson was already accustomed to the idea of determination. His choice to attend Carver Military Academy, instead of a Chicago public high school, instilled this attribute.

“I wanted to do something different,” he said. “And going to Carver helped develop me as a man.”

The choice proved worthwhile, as he realized the importance of life beyond the court. Carver gave Anderson the map he needed to follow the path to his goals.
Anderson looked at the map and chose the path of leadership and success.

Fellow teammate and freshman Michael Patton said he can see Anderson’s strong sense of discipline and direction on and off the court.

“Jake is an extremely mature freshman,” Patton said. “His best attribute is his court vision and leadership. Having Jake out there with me has been a huge up for me.”

The two freshmen are friends off the court, but according to Patton, their chemistry carries over into game play.

In their biggest game this season, Anderson and Patton scored 24 and 22 points, respectively. The two freshmen led the team in an upset victory over Akron, and provided the team’s first road victory in over a year.

Becoming the leading scorer on the team, Anderson has found himself on the right path. His journey has been one filled with choices. Choices to overcome, or to surrender to.

For now, it seems he’s chosen to overcome.

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