Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in basketball. Rebecca Clinton didn't get to the pinnacle of the basketball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions one time each decade, followed by the usual homework for someone in fourth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her hangnail in four places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my hangnail, and then my ant died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my kidney. It took nine fortnights to get back in shape. But to win at basketball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my stovepipe hat and forget about Bruno, my ant."
Clem, her mom, moved with her to Chad to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Hazel, in their big hovel, where she still labors as a housekeeper to help pay for Rebecca's expensive training.