Franklin Session On A Road Less Traveled
I was a skateboarder. Basketball wasn’t even a thought until my high school coach saw me skateboarding and asked if I would play. I was an athlete, so a lot of things came naturally and that’s how I started. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I thought I would even be able to play in college. My old coach would recruit me to come play with him.
I played at four colleges in four years, going from junior college to Weber State to D-II. I mean, professional basketball was a dream even at this point, but I knew it wasn’t going to pay the bills. It was basically gone before it even started for me. I got drafted by a D-League team and was released after injury.
At that point, I couldn’t keep waiting around. I needed something to provide for my family. I have two kids, one son and one daughter, along with my wife. My daughter was born with a tumor on her leg that restricts full movement and range of motion. Doctors said it may go away, but it grew with her. But financially, I knew I couldn’t pursue a dream if it meant they couldn’t live right.
So I went to work and got a job. At that point, my goal was to move up in the company and make the kind of money that would help my wife and family live comfortably.
I worked my way up and became a manager. At this time, I gave up on the idea of playing professional basketball. It just wasn’t going to pay the bills and I wasn’t getting any younger. But, I still continued to play ball in adult leagues. Eventually, the Drew League came around and from that, I broke out.
With the Drew League, I had to change my mindset. I had to not care what anyone thought and just go out and do me. Teammates like The Game gave me the green light to run the offense and play freely. This helped me grow and it put me back on professional basketball radars.
I took some time off of work to play in a tournament I was invited to and ended up staying longer than expected. It was then that I realized I could play the game I loved and also make a living.
This allowed me to leave my day job and start playing professionally full-time. Fast forward to this past summer, it seemed like everything just came together for my family. After traveling to different countries and playing overseas, I got a chance to play closer to home.
A number of the players from the BIG3 had reached out and Stephen Jackson ended up adding me as his co-captain. To be honest, it was surreal being around guys I grew up watching.
3-on-3 is a totally different game and you can tell why these guys are special. They see things on the court that no one else sees. It’s like they’re always one pass ahead of you. As a new player to the game, it took some adjusting.
But, even in my first year, we made it to the championship game. A game in which I got to play in front of the crowd that I’d always dreamed of. In Staples Center, with all my family around.
To people who’ve asked, we’re not done and I’m not done. We want that trophy. I want to play in the BIG3 for as long as they’ll have me. I want to hoist that trophy and bring it home. It’s unfinished business for Killer 3’s and myself.
Above all, the BIG3 gave me an opportunity to spend time with my family in what would be my offseason. In other countries and places, they don’t allow family around and it’s tough. In the BIG3, it gives me a chance to play with some of the best players in the world while having my family around.
Being able to spend time on the road with my family has made me really appreciate the journey that I’ve taken. Not many get a chance to live out their dreams of playing basketball and be around their family.
Ultimately, I just want to provide for my family and be the best father I can be. I don’t need to be in the NBA. I had a window and that time has passed. The BIG3 and my professional career overseas are what is realistic and something I’ve truly enjoyed. Every time I step on that court, I think of what it’ll do for my daughter, son and wife. That’s the motivation. Getting rid of that tumor on my daughter’s leg, creating a better life for her and my family is what I live for.