Did you know that 90% of young boys don't have a healthy outlet for their emotions? That can lead to anger, frustration, and even violence. Basketball gave me that outlet. It gave me the space to express myself, channel my energy, and find my strength.

This is more than a basketball guide. It's a blueprint for life.

It's the wisdom I learned from my journey, from the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned. It's the blueprint I use to coach myself, to stay focused, and to perform at my best. This is about becoming a professional student-athlete, not just on the court, but in life. It's about developing the skills, the discipline, and the mindset to succeed in everything you do.

I never tried out for any basketball team. Instead, I was caught in a web of wrong choices and bad decisions that led me to criminal court. It was a stolen credit card, a naive act of friendship, that spiraled into a potential 55-year sentence. Facing the judge, I knew I was alone. My friends, my family, my support system; no one else. I was the only one facing jail time.

That fear was overwhelming. But then came the relief, the unbelievable reprieve of probation. I knew I had to turn my life around. But my path to redemption wasn't smooth. I found myself alone in Georgia at 19, separated from my family who moved to Brooklyn. Probation was a constant shadow, a reminder of my mistakes. I had to make a promise to myself. I had to be great or at least better than I am now. 

I enrolled in college in New York as a junior at 22 years old. I found myself drawn to a new path, one that introduced me to the Law of Attraction and a profound shift in perspective. I'm not going to lie, my life changed. Then came an unexpected opportunity. The head coach, also the marketing professor, recognized me; and saw something in my eyes. "Do you play basketball?" he asked.

This time, I thought, "I'm going to change the narrative."