[shortsleeve47]

(Word’s of inspiration from his mother)

The last three years have been nothing but a series of stops and starts

March 3, 2008
The phone calls would come once or twice a week, with Juan Palacios dutifully checking in with his mother.

The chats have been one of the few constants in the Louisville forward's life since he left Colombia as a shy 15-year-old in 2001 to chase his basketball dreams.

Over the years, his mother has been his sounding board. Maria would listen while he talked about the demands of playing for Rick Pitino, the joy of helping the Cardinals make the 2005 Final Four, the anger of a string of injuries.

And sometimes his mother, who cleans buildings in Medellin, would tell him to snap out of it.

"I get frustrated if I'm not playing well and I call her," Palacios said. "She tells me 'Look, you're a kid from Colombia playing at the University of Louisville. You've been to a Final Four. You've been to so (many) things. Right now, you've got to feel proud of yourself and I feel proud of you. Just let things fall for themselves and just be happy all the time because the things and the blessings that God has given you are more than enough."

Still, Palacios has found his way to contribute and he's done it without complaint. "These guys have witnessed all of that and their appreciation is off the charts," Pitino said.

So much so that sophomore forward Earl Clark went into Pitino's office and told his coach he wanted Palacios to start in his place against Villanova. Clark even offered to sit out the entire game so Palacios could soak in his final 40 minutes at Freedom Hall.
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/030308acp.html

[Tuck4Bama]

Very nice story. I'm glad to see a positive story.