I love basketball so much, I love playing it. I just never thought I could make it to college, make it to the NBA or stand up here today in front of you guys and be an NBA MVP. It’s just a surreal feeling, and I had so much help, so many people believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

I was just a big fan of tattoos always growing up, and I wanted something cool that symbolizes what I've been through in my life, and everything on my chest and my back is like a collage.

I'm tired of being second.... I'm done with it.

I go to sleep at night, like, ’Am I gonna be alone forever?’

If I come to work every day and do my job, work as hard as I can, be a great teammate, the rest of that stuff will take care of itself.

Sometimes you have to know when to shut the f - - up.

I wanted to the best player in the state - [the best] the area has ever seen. That's always been my goal. Guys like Elgin Baylor, Adrian Dantley and Dave Bing, it's tough to pass those guys. So I'm studying, working. My project's not over yet. Hopefully, I get there.