By Malcolm Odoh
April 5, 2009
Osei Morris
Every since I was a young child I have enjoyed the game of basketball, when
I was four years old I remember watching Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson
square off in the 1991 NBA finals. When attempting to find a subject for
this assignment I decided to explore one of my passions (basketball). In my
research of how basketball relates to the deaf community I came across the
story of 25 year old Osei Morris, he was born Hard of Hearing, yet he and
his profoundly deaf twin brother Adei, proudly say they are "Deaf" and don’t
look for excuses based upon him being hard of hearing. He and his brother
have always desired to become professional basketball players and taught
themselves to play by observing the game. They both played briefly at
Gallaudet College for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. fortunately for them,
there was a National Deaf Basketball League they joined and further
developed their talents in an environment where all the players, coaches,
referees and fans were deaf.
When playing in a deaf environment communication was done by using American
Sign Language. This non-profit organization was created to encourage Deaf
athletes to go beyond their physical challenges in the game of Basketball.
Osei Morris was the Most Valuable Player in 2004. With his innate skill for
playing basketball he signed with the LA Stars of the ABA, in his
interaction with the team although he can read lips and voice some, he
prefers use Sign Language. Osei is the first black deaf basketball player to
play for a professional team. The LA Stars provides Osei with an interpreter
at practices and at games and in fact, team members have already expressed
interest in learning sign language to be able to communicate with him on the
court better. Osei Morris feels he can do anything but hear, and is truly
grateful for this extraordinary opportunity given by the LA Stars.
The LA Stars are excited about the attempt to bridge the gap between the
Deaf and Hearing Worlds by welcoming the Deaf Community as fans. Sign
language has been used to create a bond in the world of basketball in
variety of ways not only in the case of deaf people but through the
fundamental aspects of the game such as communication between players on the
court and coaches who signal plays to attack opponent’s defenses. The 2/3
zone in basketball is signaled by coaches in all leagues as a defensive
strategy to stop opposing offenses. For most teams the signal for the 2/3
zone is communicated through American Sign Language. Sign Language has been
a staple used in basketball and will forever be linked to each other due to
the fundamental aspects of the game that make communication between coaches
and players easier and more effective.
Sources:
1.Bradley,James (2005) Our Sports Central (press release) - Marshfield, WI
USA
fookembug.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/are-deaf-basketball-players-being-passive
2. Kent, Harris (2008) Deaf International Basketball. International
Committee of Sports for the Deaf 12-14
www.dibf.org/
3.Lyndon, Bruce (2005) Deaf Today. Deaf Athletes in Sports 90-94
www.deaftoday.com/v3/2004/10/los_angeles_sta.htm