Junior made the varsity basketball team, because he demonstrated perseverance and determination even during unfavorable odds. Not only has Junior proven that he can fall and get back up again on the basketball court, but he has also proven his strength by transferring to Rearden. Junior knows that he isn’t always going to be as good as the others around him, but he realizes that he can never give up if he wants to succeed and provide better for himself than what his family provided. A quote, “Ninety percent of me wanted to take the break. But I knew that if I took that break I would never make the team.” (Alexie 140). This quote proves that Junior accepts the fact that he will always have to work harder than others to achieve his goals, but he is willing to put in the extra effort to reap the benefits. Junior making the basketball team because of his perseverance connects to the conversation he had his dad, because his dad explains to him that, “You have to dream big to get big” (Alexie 136), which shows that what Junior has been doing to improve his life wasn’t expected or even thought of, but Junior knew that he deserved better than the reservation, and nothing would stop him. Junior makes the basketball team by demonstrating perseverance and determination the same way he has been while trying to change his life.
I agree with all of your points here. I also think that because of Junior's background, he gains determination when the coach asks him if he wants a break or not. He knows by what Mr. P said and what his conversation with his dad taught him that he shouldn't give up. I think that's why Junior doesn't take a break, and goes up against Roger. Literally, the coach knew that Junior was a good shooter, so the coach needed him as a "secret weapon". That's another reason why Junior made the team.
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