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Full Court Fathers

They're young, poor, unmarried fathers -- but don't call them deadbeat dads. They want to be part of their kids' lives, and Oakland's Midnight Basketball League is helping them do it.

A A A Comments By Bernice Yeung Wednesday, Feb 7 2001

"They my children," he says. "I did that, so that's on me. I seen my Dad one time in my life. He called me last year and said, "How you doing?' I said, "I'm 22, it's too late. I'm living, what does it matter now?'

"That made me look at my mom. She's struggling. I could leave, so what? But I was raised better than that."

Anthony Pidgeon

Willis Flemings (with ball) and Marshaun Farris (next page) say they want to be a bigger part of their children's lives.

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But with fatherhood comes sacrifice. "I used to buy $150 tennis shoes. It's setting in now. I'm paying for Catholic school. School starts and I'm going to buy school clothes, dresses, and sweaters. I'm not working, so I'm in the hole right now. I have a loan from the credit union, I owe my mom money. That's why I play the Lotto Quick Pick. I'm gonna cash in. Money is the main problem in my life."

Balancing life choices and fatherhood is still a daily dilemma for Marshaun. Earlier this year, he got a letter from the University of Southern Colorado, offering him a basketball scholarship. It's a great opportunity for him, but he's conflicted about what he should do.

"If I leave, then I'll really not see my babies," he says. "But shooting hoops here makes you want to go away to school. And then I wouldn't be paying for anything except my clothes. But there are these two little babies."

Marshaun pauses, tormented. "I'm not trying to leave the babies," he insists. "If I could get 'em to come with me .... I have to decide in the summer. If I sign the paper, I got to go; if not, maybe I'll go to Cal State Hayward. I don't know. A dude don't want to be without his daughter."