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The tale of Robert Swift
In our era of insistence for specialized services, the professional athlete is often considered to exist purely as an extension of voyeuristic servitude, vapid of human emotion. Their task is to perform an athletic feat with a refined level of skill and prowess, to falter from this objective is to disappoint and be deemed valueless. The commodifcation of the modern athlete can result in steep profit margins for those that fit the pattern, but for those on the outside the harsh realities of being bought and sold can result in a career marked by unfulfilled promise.
In 2004, the Seattle Supersonics used the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft to select Robert Swift, a skinny 18 year old kid from Bakersfield High School. Swift had helped transform Bakersfield to a reputable prep basketball program and earned the notoriety of several national rankings but the highest value was placed in his seemingly unlimited potential.
The inevitable pressure that accompanies being a high draft pick was felt early and consistently with Swift. The Sonics drafted another young center the following year in Johan Petro, adding to the growing competition Swift faced for playing time on an underachieving Sonics team. After playing sparingly in his first two seasons, Swift was placed in the starting line up in 2006. The potential of this opportunity was never realized however as Swift ruptured the ACL in his right knee in a pre-season game, abruptly ending his season before it even began and placing another question mark on his career.
During Swift's rehabilitation, the Seattle franchise was in a period of discord. With inadequate funding and a questionable future the team was sold to an investment group, headed by Oklahoma City businessman Clayton Bennett. Swift remained in the shadows, waiting for his next opportunity while devoting himself to rehabilitation and improving his strength. As Bennett lobbied to relocate the franchise to Oklahoma City he also dismantled the team’s management structure, leaving a 19 year old Swift with essentially no coach and no internal supporters within the organization.
The Seattle fan base quickly came together in opposition of the relocation efforts, but as their financial issues continued to mount there was little that could be done to allow for the franchise to remain in Seattle. As the 2008 NBA season began the Sonics had become the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Seattle era had come to the close and the franchise now found themselves moving forward in a new direction. Swift remained in the background during this time, the patience the organization had once shown for his development had largely disappeared. That season Swift played in only 26 games and was eventually removed from the roster. News headlines barely flickered as he left the NBA, the rookie that was once held in such high regard for his potential had dissolved his welcome; his quiet exit indicative of an underwhelming career.
Swift began the 2009 season with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBDL, after appearing in two games he left the team for personal reasons. Now, two months later Swift remains in his own seclusion, having walked away from the game that once fuelled his passion and desire. Swifts case is an anomaly; his departure from basketball is not attributed to a lack of dedication or commitment, but rather the consequence of alienation. For Swift, the basketball court had become synonymous with fear, disappointment, and disillusion. Swift was aware of the expectations placed upon him; his failure to meet these demands marked a steady and significant decline in his self-confidence.
Despite his physical abilities, Swift was never showered with the traditional accolades of an embraced and encouraged athlete. Carrying an awkward and introverted personality, Swift was unable to capture the support of his high school teammates despite being recognized as one of the top post-players in the nation. His insecurities about himself were only multiplied once he entered the NBA. The basketball court that had once allowed for a release, a disenchantment with the reality of his doubters and a chance to run free, had become a festering ground for his opposition. Coinciding with this, Swifts love for the game seemed to disappear. He was no longer escaping his fears or overcoming his timid personality when playing basketball, but embracing his prosecutors. He was put on an emotional stage, where his flaws became glaring and his ability to counteract these issues became limited as voice of his sceptics grew louder.
Swift now finds himself, at 24 years old, effectively chewed up and spit out by the NBA. He’s made over 11 million dollars in his career at this point, how much of that remains is unknown. His last coach, Will Voigt, has stated that he believes Swift is done with the sport forever. All indications seem to be that Swift will continue to act as he always has, remain elusive and unknown in the backdrop. It seems for Swift to find comfort and peace he prefers to remain isolated; being a professional athlete is completely contradictory of this. I don’t expect much word of Swift’s disappearance to surface in the sports headlines anytime soon; even at the peak of his career he remained largely unheard of. Instead, I believe his departure from basketball will be recognized as a failure to meet expectations and nothing more. In reality, this case is much bigger than just the sport of basketball. Swift saw an opportunity to quietly walk away and took it.
For the first time in his adult life, Swift has the chance to figure out who he is. His actions will no longer be scrutinized by fans and employers and recorded for all to see. The end of Swift’s career marks an opportunity to begin an expedition of self-discovery. Perhaps that path will lead back to a basketball court; or perhaps Swift has finally made a choice that was fuelled by his emotions and not his talent.