With the crowds on your side, it's easier to play up to your potential.

The biggest thing that I felt basketball could do for me was help me get a good education.

I grabbed 19 rebounds in my first professional game, and somehow found a way to score 20 points. I felt real good about it. I felt that this was the beginning of something good.

When I get a chance to power jump off both legs, I can lean, twist, change directions and decide whether to dunk the ball or pass it to an open man. In other words, I may be committed to the air, but I still have some control over it.

You can feel the vibes, feel the people pulling for you.

Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.

I liked the game, I enjoyed the game, and the game fed me enough, and gave me enough rewards to reinforce that this is something that I should spend time doing, and that I could possibly make a priority in my life, versus other sports.