My fellow Wilmington, North Carolina native Meadowlark Lemon is a true national treasure. I watched him play for the Harlem Globetrotters when I was growing up and his skill with the basketball and dedication to the game were an inspiration not only to me, but to kids all around the world.

I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot... when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result.

A leader can't make excuses. There has to be quality in everything you do. Off the court, on the court, in the classroom.

I realize that I'm black, but I like to be viewed as a person, and this is everybody's wish.

If you love the game, nobody can take that from you.

To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate.

The harder I prepare, the luckier I seem to get.