SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Captain Antoine Hood has a dream. For twenty years he's been jumping through hoops in a tireless pursuit of a goal to play professional basketball. The story of that journey is being made into a documentary called "Dreams Don't Die."
An early setback
Hood began dreaming of basketball greatness in elementary school and showed early promise. In 7th grade, however, he was diagnosed with Lymphoma. He spent weeks in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy. The treatment worked, but ravaged his body and energy.
"When I came back a guy at a pick-up game told me I had lost all my skills, "said Hood. "I was crushed and determined to work hard to get back what I lost." Eight months later he was back on the practice court, but it took a long time to get back in the game. He rode the bench for years averaging less than a minute per game in middle and early high school.
Still Hood worked out daily and spent every extra moment in the gym. When a star point guard moved to a new school, Hood filled the void his senior year. For the first time, he was a basketball star. He was ranked in the state of Texas and scouted by numerous colleges.
Finally on track
The Air Force Academy was one of the many schools who made Hood an offer. His parents were thrilled. Not only was Hood a talented athlete, he was also a 4.0 student and active in clubs and the community. His parents saw the Air Force Academy as a way for Hood to get a great education and further his hoop dreams.
He spent one year at the Academy's Prep School playing ball and getting familiar with military school life. During that year he was the team's leading scorer. "I actually got a few more offers after that year at prep," Hood said, "but quitting is not in my DNA. I had started something I was going to finish."
In 2002 he began his time at the Academy, leading his team to the 2004 NCAA tournament for the first time in nearly 40 years. "I told them we were going to the tournament," said Hood. "They all laughed, but it happened!"
By his senior year he was team co-captain and continued to make a name for himself. He was awarded the Bob Spear Award, given to the student-athlete who is outstanding in all areas of the Academy - academics, athletics, and military performance, both his junior and senior year. He's the only player to receive the award twice since its start in 1991.
"It was an amazing feeling that really caught me off guard because I was being the best cadet I could be," said Hood. "Whether on or off the court I wanted to demonstrate to myself and others that I was a person who internalized the core values that were more than just words in a book or on a wall."
A time to serve
Hood was offered two contracts with NBA teams after he graduated from the Academy, but his active duty service commitment prevented him from accepting them. He instead left for Montgomery, Ala., to work as a personnel officer.
"I held nothing against the Air Force. I made a commitment that I owed to my service and my country. It just wasn't my time yet," said Hood. "I realized that I needed to bloom where I was planted and let the Man Upstairs handle the rest because there was nothing else that I could do."
After completing his active duty service commitment, Hood moved to Florida and worked as a full-time reservist while he began to actively pursue his basketball dreams once again. Jumping through hoops
Hood worked out with the Miami Heat, went to summer camps, and searched to find a reputable agent.
He spent two months at the end of a season playing professional ball in the Czech Republic, but came home again without a contract.
"Playing in the Czech Republic was different because it was my first real overseas experience outside of playing with the All Armed Forces team, said Hood. "Actually, being submerged in a culture where I didn't speak Czech and stood out everywhere I went was very interesting."
After coming home, Hood was hired by Michelin as a regional sales manager. That job resulted in a 2011 move to North Carolina for him, his wife, and young son.
Hood now works as a flight commander in the 916th Force Support Squadron. Once he moved to Goldsboro, he began working out with the team at Wake Forest and was able to secure an agent. Six months ago he was hired by the San Antonio Spurs as a pre-season player. He performed well in three pre-season games, but their depth at point guard resulted in his being cut before regular season play.
Hoop dreams
The trailer for "Dreams Don't Die" features footage of a 9-year-old Hood playing basketball. You can see the determination on his young face as he moves forward to score. Hood's voice is heard in the background.
"Every kid in elementary school has a dream to do something and be something. No one ever crushes their dreams," he says. "All of a sudden you reach adolescence and young adulthood and you can't do anything. There are all these naysayers and people who are against you. It's like an instantaneous change. Why?"
Hood is now 28 years old and in peak physical condition. He works out and practices daily and is excited about his future prospects, even if he's presented with more hoops to jump through along the way.
"I can't quit," said Hood. "How can I tell people to follow their dreams if I'm willing to give mine up? I know I can play; I know I'm good. It'll happen."
The documentary "Dreams Don't Die" is scheduled to be complete in early 2014.