Off the floor I'm really laid back, like nothing really fazes me too much. But on the floor I do get emotional and a little carried away. However, I started playing when I was 13 to have fun with my teammates, and that never stopped. I enjoy traveling and having fun in the locker room with the guys. Life is too short to be miserable.

I wanted to avoid service, because I was on the road to becoming a professional basketball player.

I played all kinds of sports when I was young: tennis, handball, basketball, some soccer. I focused on basketball when I was 16 or 17 and then came to the U.S. when I was 20.

As a newcomer, I was often expected to carry the bags of the older players, or get them burgers. That can make you feel pretty miserable.

The best player I've ever played against is Kobe Bryant. I have seen him do some stuff that is just unbelievable.

Basketball gave me a lot, which is why I want to stay connected with this sport later on, maybe working with young people. But it would be more in the background. Being in the spotlight was never really my thing. I never wanted to be famous.

This feeling to be on the best team of the world is just indescribable.