 I had a special interest in basketball as a young boy. Inspired by the God-gifted basketball talent of my brother Harold Banks, who was a great basketball player. He was one of the best in the nation at a very young age, 13 and 14 years old. He possessed awesome basketball skills and phenomenal shooting accuracy with range. I would sit and watch him practice on many occasions. I consistently prayed to God to bless me with those basketball skills, I was also encouraged to consistently practice on proper shooting fundamentals by junior high basketball coach Joe Edgerson and legendary senior high basketball coach Oliver Elders who in my opinion for many years was one of the best high school basketball coaches in the nation. One day in the gym through God’s grace, I made my first (100) consecutive “Free Throws”.
My parents always taught us to believe in God and I always did. As I prepared to leave the gym, I cried tears of joy and praised God, for I realized that God had answered my prayers and I had been greatly blessed. I hurried home to share my experience with my mother who always expressed great faith in God. My mother hugged me and said, “Son, I love you and I am very proud of you and what you have accomplished through God’s grace.” “Always remember that God works in mysterious ways and is a miracle worker ”. Although I tried not to cry, my loving mother’s passion brought tears to my eyes. After playing high school basketball and graduating, I participated in school National Basketball Showcase Camps. I received a basketball scholarship from many Division 1 colleges nationwide. I chose to accept a basketball scholarship from Highland Park Junior College with my first objective being to get a quality education and play pro basketball in the NBA or become an attorney. My major in college was Business Administration and my minor was Business Law. I also visualized becoming a business owner. I played basketball in college and achieved and maintained excellent “Free Throw” and field goal percentages for (2) consecutive years on a national level. After graduating from Junior College, I decided to relocate to Arkansas to be near my parents, as my father was very ill. Although I was saddened by my father’s condition, I was encouraged by my parents to continue my education in college. I enrolled in Arkansas Tech University on a basketball Scholarship, but (1) year later my father’s condition continued to decline. Even though my parents strongly encouraged me to continue my education in college, I felt that my father’s life meant more to me than my education. I decided to forgo my senior year of college to take on a personal responsibility assisting my mother in caring for my father until he received God’s final call, which is a decision that I feel comfortable with today. I was invited to NBA basketball camps with the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Bullets and I performed very well. After attending Pro Basketball Camps I worked for a National Insurance Company for several years until I decided to change my profession. I was influenced by my mother to do something unique but would help myself and others become successful. Following my experiences, I was blessed with a tremendous basketball program that is very versatile n many ways. Many participants have improved their skills enough to earn college basketball scholarships. Improved from a negative attitude to a positive and respect the value of life while achieving success. I organized and incorporated a personal business Basketball Shooting Clinic and Sessions and Free Throw Doctor Sports Apparel. I authored “Success Formula for Free Throws”, “Free Throw Doctor” and trademarks were issued. I was also blessed to develop the first copyrighted Proven Basketball Shooting Video in the history of basketball. Recognized nationally as a “Basketball Shooting Consultant” I travel nationally performing basketball shooting clinics, sessions, demonstrations, and exhibitions and I am known by many as the “Free Throw Doctor”. Some of my individual basketball program accomplishments which I consider as a personal pride include: ♦ Improving participants’ attitudes in life from negative to positive. ♦ Improving basketball players ”Free Throw and Field Goal percentage” from below average to excellent. ♦ Consistently Making (50 or more) consecutive “Free Throws” with my eyes closed. ♦ Consistently Making NBA and college 3-pt ‘” Field Goals” with eyes closed. ♦ Consistently Making (100) or more consecutive “Free Throws”. ♦ Author of “Free Throw Doctor” Theme song CD and Instrumental CD. My goal in life has always been to set high standards for achievement and through God’s grace become the best in the world at what I have chosen to do. All honors are credited to God for many great blessings. I thank my loving parents, wife, children, and all others who contributed to my success in life. I hope to always remember or never forget a “life philosophy” that my loving mother once shared with me, she said, “success in life is achieved and maintained only through God’s grace”. In life, I hope to celebrate what makes my program unique and always praise God for my many great blessings, but sincerely give credit where credit is due. From: Fredrick Burnette Detroit B-Ball History FLB’s The Book and World Tour: “When Decisions Determine Destiny” and when we know that “Delayed Blessings, are not Denied Prayers, but Decisions by God is put on hold” is a (Bibliography of Native Detroiter FLB, from Life in the streets to the Love of Basketball) Read Prov.18:15 (A man’s gift will……. and Math. 10:39 (A man(woman) that finds his life…… and Is. 43:18-19 Remember no more the former things…….) Note: This is about 15 names and more of some of Detroit Michigan’s famous High school, College and NBA professionals that I either personally knew while transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, played B-Ball with, played B-Ball against, or played in the same gymnasiums with: (Spencer Haywood, NBA/ABA LA Lakers/Denver Nuggets), (Ralph Simpson, NBA/ABA Denver Nuggets), (Leroy Jenkins, Detroit Pistons), Robert(Bubba) Hawkins from Detroit Pershing HS, (George”Iceman”Gervin, NBA/ABA San Antonio Spurs, from MLK HS), Mike Robinson from Northeastern HS, (Johnny Davis, Portland Trailblazers), James McElroy, NBA/ from MurrayWright HS, Joe Johnson, (Lindsey Hariston, Detroit Pistons), Floyd Haywood, (Eric Money, Detroit Pistons), and Coniel Norman, Philadelphia 76ers), from Kettering HS, Larry Fogle, Detroit Cooley HS, (Dave Bing, NBA Detroit Pistons player and former Mayor of Detroit), and (Jimmy Walker, Detroit Pistons, and “Jalen Rose” Father), (Danny Roundfield, NBA/ABA Indiana Pacers, Chadsey HS), Ervin “Majic” Johnson, NBA/Los Angeles Lakers), and (Don Banks “FREE THROW DOCTOR” |