I play basketball. I can't control the media, the way I play. I can't control all of it.

I'm just trying to grow. That's one thing I told myself is, 'Don't worry about who people say is the best player'.

I come from a small county outside of Washington DC called PG County, and me, my mom, my brother, we moved so many different places growing up. And it felt like a box. It felt like there was no getting out.

I'm not going to act like I'm this person that I'm not, because I operate bad in that space, you know what I'm saying?

I was always in the gym. People would look at me crazy because I spent so much time there. But that's what it was about. I'm glad I did it.

Coaching staff: I know there's days you look at that film and you want to kill me. I'm not playing defense, taking bad shots, getting too many techs. But you always believe that I can be the guy. Through the tough times, you guys never left my side... That's something that I really appreciate and I never want to take you guys for granted. I thank you so much for being part of my life. And not just on the basketball court, but giving me talks about growing as a man first, and a basketball player next.

I just loved being in the gym. It was tough at times. Sometimes I wanted to quit, but I'm glad I stuck with it.