But you're nothing until you do something for somebody else.

In honor of Black History Month.

Black History Month.

My story begins with my mother and father, Bernie and Willie McGinnis.

He migrated to Indiana from Hoppersville,

Alabama, looking for a better opportunity for their family. It's hard growing up in Indiana

and not falling in love with the game of basketball. The year was 1956. I was six years old.

Two events would change my life forever. We had our first television set. And I got to watch

the nation's first all-black team compete for Indiana High School

State Championship.

That night, I was introduced to a young man who became not only my hero, but for every kid

in our community's hero.

His name was Oscar Palmer Robeson.

Big O.

He played for Chris Hattuck's High School, and he won the state championship for the second time in 1956.

The 1956 team was the first team to go undefeated and win a championship since that tournament began in 1911.

And I can't tell you the pride we fell in our community.

Yeah, that's right.

The next day was a Sunday and it seems as though every boy in our neighborhood was out shooting

buckets.

We all wanted to be like the Big O.

He inspired me, as well as many others in our state, to play this game, and I want to thank

...