I like giving back to the community, because it lasts a long time.
Church is definitely still present in my life. Every Sunday I'm tuned in and then throughout the week I read scriptures, I read motivational messages.
I only had two scholarship offers with Tennessee State being one of them. That put a lot on my shoulders - not having the same opportunities as some other guys I knew - and it didn't feel like many people had much faith in me as a basketball player.
Sometimes I go back and listen to the very first day I went to church. I listen to that sermon all the time, because that was the sermon that was life changing for me.
My roots are in Chicago, and ensuring the West Pullman community has the greatest potential to improve long-term health, wellness, economic, and social outcomes is a personal mission.
No matter what, if I'm playing or not playing, I'm still going to be the same person, be that leader.
A lot of people didn't think I would be here. But I put myself in great positions and I always had the mentality that what is meant for me is meant for me. The only person that can stop you is yourself.
I felt like, honestly, seeing a therapist was kind of weak. But it helps. It helps a whole lot, because it allows you to decompress and restart.
My mom laid the foundation that in order for you to be successful, you have to take care of the books first. That's one thing she preached about, because at any point, other stuff can be taken away.
As a kid, you get told you can't - either you're going to believe it or not.
I'm a very humble young man. I've always had to work for everything that I had.
I said that once I stopped playing, when that time comes, I wanted to still be around sports.
I always feel my next shot is good.
A lot of people throughout my life didn't believe in me, but I have a great support system - my mom, my dad, my AAU coach, Kevin Dockery - I just have a great support system of people who really pushed me and brought the best out of me.
I've faced adversity countless, countless times throughout my life. One thing I've always preached is keep pushing.
In college I played power forward because I was one of the biggest guys on the team and my versatility allowed me to do that.
That's one thing I've really taken in pride in, is becoming that two way player, because that makes me that much more valuable for the team.
There's many times people told me I couldn't do something or couldn't work for it - it just made me more hungry.
My favorite player growing up was Scottie Pippen.
I am not one to get into people's opinions, because if I were to be that way, I would not be where I am today.
