Past US Presidents were widely known for their love of baseball such as the Bush family, who were once co-owners of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball. Current US President Barack Obama is of different breed. His passion for basketball is an open secret thus making him the first-ever Chief Executive to have hoops as his favorite sport.
President Obama was a basketball player during his high school days in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was nicknamed “Barry O'Bomber” because of his devastating "jump shot" and likes to dribble and bounce a ball as he walked between classes.
An interesting sidelight to President Obama’s inclination to basketball is his current roster of cabinet members. Believe it or not, most of his appointees has hoops background. Just consider the following:
Arne Duncan (Education Secretary)
6’5” tall.
A former co-captain of Harvard's basketball team
Played pro ball in Australia
Gen. James Jones (National Security Adviser)
6’4” tall
Played forward for Georgetown University
Eric Holder (Attorney General)
A co-captain with New York Peglegs High School Team
Played college ball at Columbia University
Susan Rice (United Nations Ambassador)
Nicknamed “Spo” which is short for “Sporting”
Played prep ball at National Cathedral School
And did you know that President Obama developed a ritual of playing a game of basketball during the 21-month election campaign leading to his D-Day victory. "Although I will say that I think we are putting together the best basketball-playing cabinet in American history. And I think that is worth noting," Obama said.
It will not be long when the US White House will be called a place “Where Amazing Happens”.
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