In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There's so much more to the story.

Michael Jordan and Magic and myself, all learned how to play the game in college programs that emphasized the team.

When I was 17, I worked in a mentoring program in Harlem designed to improve the community. That's when I first gained an appreciation of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when African-Americans rose to prominence in American culture. For the first time, they were taken seriously as artists, musicians, writers, athletes, and as political thinkers.

I feel that Dennis Rodman has become a problem. He will be more of a problem than an asset. Of course, he can prove me wrong.

If I hadn't become a professional basketball player, I would have become a history teacher. There's so much to learn from history.

I've always tried to stay out of the fray and not be an object of controversy.

I love basketball, but playing basketball doesn't fully define who I am. I was always a good student, too.