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SI cover: Young, Gifted & Homeless

Sports Illustrated undertook a six-month investigation to look at the problem of homelessness among young athletes and found that most of them thrive after the most unbelievable obstacles.

Author:
Scooby Axson
Publish date:
Oct 14, 2014

There were nearly 1.3 million homeless children and teens enrolled in elementary, middle and high schools during the 2012-13 school year, according the U.S. Department of Education, which is a startling increase of 58 percent over the last six years.

But what happens when one of more than 100,000 students on U.S. youth, public school and college teams who have no stable place to live happens to be a gifted athlete, hiding secrets from friends, coaches and others while trying to maintain good grades and carry on a normal life - while also working to get noticed by college recruiters?

Sports Illustrated undertook a six-month investigation to look at the problem of homelessness among young athletes and found that many thrive after facing unbelievable obstacles.

VIDEO: SI cover features in-depth piece on homeless athletes

SI talked to several athletes for this week's national cover story and all shared a story of embarrassment about their plight, a struggle to fit in despite the seemingly impossible circumstances and ultimately a bright future when all seemed lost.