Fatherhood Meets the Hardwood

This year, Christmas shopping takes on new meaning for Jamar Cramer, L.C. Johnson and Eric Fuller.

Dolls and rattles will accompany sweat suits and gym shoes on the holiday shopping lists of these three L.A. Trade Tech basketball players. In addition to being teammates, Cramer, Johnson and Fuller share another bond: fatherhood.

While there are fathers on some community college basketball teams, the 10-4 Trade Tech team (as of Friday) is the home of three.

“I have no explanation why (Trade Tech) has that many fathers on our team,” said Assistant Coach Oliver Jones. “It’s just one of those precarious situations in life that you deal with.”

Cramer, Johnson and Fuller are trying their best to deal with their situations. Cramer has made a challenge of juggling the demands and pressures of basketball with the responsibilities of fatherhood.

“Being a father is a challenge just like being a basketball player. I like the challenge and I’m not one to back down,” said Cramer, as he spoke of the sacrifices he has to make to satisfy the needs of his 3-month-old daughter, Jayelle. “Sometimes I spend Friday nights at home changing diapers. I don’t mind buying things for her instead of for myself, because she is my baby.”

And Jayelle’s mom, 17 year-old Sharita Roberts, doesn’t mind asking for Cramer’s attention: “Whenever (Jamar) has free time I want him to spend it with me and Jayelle.”

Jayelle has proven to be a positive force in Cramer’s life: “She keeps me out of trouble. Instead of staying out late, I spend my nights at home with her.”

Cramer, a 20-year-old freshman, is averaging nine points, five rebounds and two steals per game this season. His play is improving with each game, and Jones expects Cramer to be a force off the bench for Trade Tech. “He has improved considerably,” Jones said. “He has come a long way, and looks like our sixth man.”

Since fatherhood is new for Cramer, he often seeks words of wisdom from a veteran. Enter Ron Johnson, L.C.’s father.

“When I hang out at L.C.’s house, sometimes his dad talks to us about what it’s like being a father,” Cramer said. “A lot of the things he says express how I feel.”

Said Ron Johnson: “It’s difficult being young and having a child. I know the pitfalls that await them because I have walked that road before.”

Even though L.C. Johnson and his girlfriend are not expecting their first child until April, Johnson--another 20-year-old freshman--is preparing to make the transition from bachelorhood to fatherhood a smooth one.

“I don’t hang out late with my boys and roam the streets the way I used to,” Johnson said. “If I am out late I call to see if (his girlfriend and the baby) are all right. I have people to look after now.”

“It’s not like we planned it this way,” said Johnson’s girlfriend, whose name he did not want to revealed. “But this child was our doing and we are going to take full responsibility.”

Johnson is nursing a sore knee that has limited his playing time this season. But second-year Trade Tech head coach Jeff Kritzer is expecting big things from Johnson after he recovers: “L.C. is a good playmaker, runs the break real well and is very unselfish. He is a very good kid and is going to be one of our best players.”

It is Fuller who may be Trade Tech’s best player.

The 21-year-old sophomore point guard is averaging 24 points, eight assists and five steals per game this season. Fuller’s numbers have had scouts from major basketball programs such as DePaul, Oregon State and New Mexico taking an interest in his travel plans after this season.

Fuller, who has a 2-year-old daughter, Teerica, has had time to assess the pros and cons of being a young father: “It’s good that the child sees that I’m in school doing something positive instead of being on drugs or in a gang; it’s bad that time spent in class or at practice is time away from Teerica.”

Teerica’s mother, Latisha Graham, 19, supports Fuller’s athletic and academic endeavors. “I’m very proud of Eric,” Graham said. “He’s not only making a future for (me and Teerica) but for himself as well.”

The three young fathers took different paths to Trade Tech.

Cramer was intent on going to Trade Tech after graduation from L.A.’s University High School. Johnson decided to attend community college last year and then make the transition to a four-year university after his SAT scores didn’t make the grade. Fuller was spotted two years ago by Joe Thomas, Central Recreation League director, while showcasing his skills in a pickup game.

Thomas, who has scouted other basketball talent for Trade Tech, called Jones about Fuller. “I have a guy you should see,” said Thomas. “You have to see this kid play.”

Trade Tech called Fuller in for a tryout, and he went from running pickup games to running the point on the basketball team.

Cramer, Johnson and Fuller each have other teams counting on them, ones they can’t afford to let down.

“Being a young father is not as bad as it sounds,” Johnson said. “It’s all about taking responsibility, on and off the court.”