Words by Justin Hunter | Images by Al Blanton

As Jasper Junior High seventh-graders shuffle through the halls to their next class, Michael Maddox, Jr. breaks off from the herd for his very first interview. As the soft-spoken and thoughtful young black man takes a seat, one can almost hear Nina Simone, the High Priestess of Soul, singing prophetically: “There is a world waiting for you, and yours is the quest that’s just begun.” 

Michael is remarkably calm, fielding questions in a budding awareness of self that is uncommon for his age.

“I love everything about school and the people I am surrounded by,” Michael says, sometimes twisting the front of his Afro fade before answering. “They all have great personalities.” 

Originally from Oakman, Michael now lives in Jasper with his Mom and two younger siblings. As the eldest child, he understands a thing or two about leadership and other expectations. 

“A good leader pushes everybody to their limits so that they feel great,” he says. “I want to be great, but I also want everyone around me to be great.”

The 5’2” point guard for the Jasper Jr. High Vikings has held a basketball in his hands for most of his 12 years. Michael patterns his game after Brooklyn Nets super talent Kyrie Irving, who is known in the basketball world as a skilled ball-handler and “flat-earther.” 

 “Kyrie and I are similar because we both have handles—but I believe the world is round,” Michael says, his smile visible behind the cloth mask. 

An A-B honor roll student, Michael’s college dream consists of two parts. Part one is playing collegiate basketball for the University of Alabama after he graduates from high school. “I average between ten to fifteen points a game,” he says.

Part Two is to study architecture. “I love to draw. I got interested in drawing by watching people on TV,” he says. “I can draw anything, but my favorite thing to draw is a house on a hill.”

Designing homes may be a few years off, but Michael isn’t waiting to get started. The future basketball player/architect is building his life on The Rock that is Jesus, as every Sunday he attends Farmstead Baptist Church. “John 3:16 is my favorite Bible verse because it hits different,” he says, explaining that the reality of God sending His only Son impacts him on a deep level. 

Whatever path he chooses, it seems clear that success will be a likely companion for this young and gifted student. 78