This event almost happened two years ago, as I look back upon it now, I see that I missed an important point. Ms. S said that Matt had said, "I hate you, because you are black."
He had fallen a long way, from being oil minister of one of the world's largest oil-producing countries to a detainee whose only possession was his prison jumpsuit.
Yet here he was, lying in the grass, hidden by trees from the house, waiting for an innocent, red-haired, two-year old girl child to come within reach.
He has trained many NBA players, including this year's top draft pick, Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, and even landed an assistant coaching gig for the Los Angeles Clippers' summer-league team.
I 'm sorry I can't be with you in person, but please know that I am most definitely with you in spirit and honored to be receiving such a prestigious prize.