From 360 lb. teenager to (likely) NBA first round draft pick

January 24, 2017 9:44 AM

Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan was 360 pounds in 8th grade, living under the constant specter of shelter and food insecurity, with a drug addicted father and an overwhelmed mother. 6 years later he is a successful college student at Purdue University, leading contender for college basketball player of the year, and will likely be a multi-millionaire professional basketball player by the Fall. His journey is kind of inspiring.
posted by COD (2 comments total)

Utterly amazing, thanks for the link!
This is such a counterpoint to the 'feckless poor' argument we hear often here in the U.K. Single moms, unemployed, all they have to do to get out of poverty is 'get on your bike' as a famous Tory politician said more than once.

It is SUCH a pernicious and societally bankrupt narrative


As someone from a pretty deprived background it is the selfless intervention and kindness of strangers along with a good public education system that makes the difference.


Think of all the wasted talent out there for want of a better narrative
posted by Wilder at 11:07 AM on January 24, 2017 [8 favorites]

I'm so happy that Caleb Swanigan was able fulfill his dreams. My heart aches for all the kids that will never, ever get a chance to do so. Our society tramples on so many of it's children.
posted by BlueHorse at 4:21 PM on January 24, 2017 [1 favorite]