For three years after graduating, he worked odd jobs. Only when he grew another seven inches did Southeastern Oklahoma State University notice him. David Robinson, named the NBA's most valuable player in 1994-95, is another who blossomed late. He only played one year of high school basketball. But he grew seven inches in college and was the first player selected in the 1987 NBA draft.
Children can develop overuse injuries.
Children who are expected to train too much or too often can develop overuse injuries such as stress fractures and damage to growth plates. This can result in a premature end to their competitive sports careers and possibly lifetime disability. Dr. Gregory Landry, University of Wisconsin team physician and a pediatric doctor at the University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Clinic, has said that he sees more injuries due to overuse than from lacerations and broken bones. Any more than that becomes counterproductive. The kids are training harder and longer, and we find that their techniques and fundamentals are not as good as they should be.