The Natural

            The article “The Natural” by Mike Tierney, follows a college boy named Zach Hodskins. Zach was born without a left hand and forearm but this hasn’t stopped him from playing basketball. Growing up he had to work hard to become the great passer and shooter he is today, and the people that underestimated him only helped his ambition and drive grow stronger.

             The author makes it clear that people didn’t always believe Zach would turn out to be the great basketball player he is now. He had to work hard to prove that he was capable of playing basketball. Even his father would have to say, “dial it back” and “you don’t have to prove yourself every day.” However, whenever anyone doubted his skill it just motivated him further.

            Zach’s family has always been extremely supportive of him and his goals as a basketball player. When Zach’s parents found out their son would be born with a disability “they pledged not to treat him differently than his two older sisters.” Also, Zach’s parents hired two coaches to train him and help him develop new moves that would make his disability less of a problem. This shows how his family was always supportive of him.

            “The Natural” by author Mike Tierney is about Zach Hodskins and his life as a disabled college basketball player. Although he faced a lot of obsticles throughout his basketball career, his family has always been there for him and the people that doubted him have just helped to increase his drive.