Through it all, a Ray of hope

Freeman never lost dream of playing college basketball

All of the kids were special to her. In the rough-and-tumble neighborhood of Schenectady, N.Y. -- a place Daisy Smythe unabashedly calls "a hood" -- all of the grandchildren and cousins had a unique place in her heart. So, too, all of the foster kids, the parade of runaways and castoffs she brought in and showered with tough love. They too were children of God. They deserved a chance.

But the really tall one, the frequently frustrated, sometimes angry boy with the big heart and the beautiful singing voice -- this one was destined for greatness. Rashaun Freeman, her second-oldest grandson, was going to represent them all. He was going to go into the world and do something big. She knew it. She was not going to have it any other way.

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