More Than a Game

GERARDO AREVALO ROBLES, Operations Manager // Office 201 // North Inland Empire region // Employed at PDS: 2 years

It goes beyond the four corners of the court, two baskets and one ball. For Gerardo, a former D-1 bound player, basketball is more than just a game. It’s an opportunity to bring people together and invest in the future – coaching young athletes to achieve their potential.

It’s a team sport. You can’t do it by yourself. You need a team in order to succeed.

Building on this mantra, he spends his off-work hours coaching middle school and Filmore High School students. “I just love seeing how the sport develops them. I can help them reach their goals and share my knowledge.”

When he’s not coaching, he’s running a fast break on the weekends playing in a men’s league at the YMCA. To see Gerardo running up and down the court with his ready-to-win laced shoes, you would never know his is a comeback story.

His collegiate basketball career launched the same way many do: highly ambitious and eager to make a statement. But just one wrong move while going up for a rebound during an important game and a dislocated ankle ended his career.

Unable to put any pressure on his ankle, he defaulted to swimming and spent a year in physical therapy and rehab. Refusing to let this experience define him, Gerardo eventually triumphantly stepped back on the court and transformed his narrative into one of growth. Basketball is still a big part of his life, except now he’s giving back to his community what he’s received from the sport, following in the footsteps of his favorite player LeBron James.

Whether physical or mental barriers, you must keep pushing through. The pain is helping you grow and making you better –just like life.