OK...I've got a soft spot for three things in this article: the Bay Area, a recognition of the social situations many collegiate basketball players come from, and Alexis Gray-Lawson.

However, one thing struck me -- two lines separated by considerable space in article:

That Gray-Lawson, 22, is thriving at one of the world's esteemed universities reminds us that even communities where collars are blue and dollars are scarce, a city that has earned a reputation for eating its young can grow seeds that blossom.

and

Gray-Lawson has reached this point primarily with the guidance of her mother, Roslyn Lawson, her father, Orlando Gray, and stepfather, Kenny Lawson. The parents, preaching religion and education and sports, have been a formidable opponent for the streets of west Oakland.

These success stories are always touching, but we also have to remember that they don't happen without considerable support at some point along the way, whether it be family, a mentor, or someone's sacrifice to see the child to success.

For those that believe hard work alone can overcome these odds, this story is worth paying attention to.