Jabari Parker
Nobody is different from anyone else, no matter what the situation. We're all equal.
The NBA is the biggest dream of basketball players, and I'm no different.
That's what I want to do with my life. Be a good person when all the lights are off. When everybody doesn't need to see you, shine and know that you know you did the right thing at the end of the day.
I'm a really big fan of hip-hop, and I can listen to it before the game, but I'm not that into a lot of profane music.
I don't think a lot of people consider golf a sport. It's kind of a leisure event. I would like to play. And I'd like to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.
You can't strip anyone of their dreams of pursuing a job.
I really fantasize a lot because I'm a dreamer.
I know there are a lot of eyes on me.
I want to be treated like everyone else.
On the Sabbath, I'm supposed to focus on Jesus and the resurrection. But if I don't practice, I let the team down. I don't want my teammates to think that I think I'm special.
I'm trying to be a throwback player and only stick with one team.
I don't look for anything about fame.
It was always a goal of mine to be in the NBA.
I never support it when people want to play it safe.
The great players always have that one older player, that one vet they competed against who was older.
Without my church, without my teaching of good morals, I wouldn't be the Jabari that I am today. It's the foundation that my family stands on. If we do things on a consistent basis that are positive, it'll all work out.
When you grow up where healthy food isn't easily accessible, you eat a lot of processed food and whatever else is available - McDonalds, fast food, cheap food.
I'm a man of habit.
You've got to stay in the weight room because those type of exercises relieve stress and tension. It's just like a stretch, when you do weight-lifting programs and regimens.
Sleep is so essential.
My parents, they come from different backgrounds. They don't even value money.
I don't put stuff out in the media. I don't do that.
I focus on the team.
I played a lot of 4. Even in high school.
A lot of people say I do play like Carmelo Anthony. That's just a great saying of my game.
No matter how far I get into my career, even if I get hurt again, it's just a part of who I am. On the flip, I'm a warrior, I'm a soldier, I get up. As many times as I fell, I've still gotten up, and that's way more rewarding to me than any other thing that I've ever accomplished, and I'm proud of that.
People in life have those issues - ups and downs - and I'm just a trailblazer to show whatever you do, you always get up. No matter how far you fall, you always get up.
I deal with expectations by not putting myself higher than the team.
I know nobody likes practice, nobody enjoys it, but you have to build some type of excitement and expectation and learn something.
I loved being poor, because it teaches you humility.
If you can get through losses, you can get through wins.
I pray that God keeps me safe on the floor, and that I'm able to have a good attitude towards my teammates.
Everyone thinks I'm so different, but it's a good different. My faith keeps me grounded.
Yeah, as a kid I didn't really have a lot to be proud of.
My dad is more credible than almost anybody I know. Growing up, I think I took for granted having a father in my life. I know I shouldn't have been like that. A lot of my friends didn't have a father, so for so many people he was the father figure. I look at the way he's lived his life, sacrificing so much.
I want to play at the highest level, the NBA, and one day be one of the greatest basketball players ever.
I have big goals and dreams.
I want a hard-working head coach that will push me.
My brother, Christian, helps me stay focused and grounded.
I dreamed of playing in college one day, but the bigger dream was to play against the best talent.
I have dreams after basketball.
I don't aspire to be the richest man.
I'm a willing passer. And I rebound.
I can't be complacent and have to be aggressive. Sometimes I can be too nonchalant in a game.
I'm the type of person, I don't like to make a big deal out of problems.
My dad taught me to be professional, to treat others the way you want to be treated, to be selfless, to give more than you receive and to always give your best effort.
I wouldn't express myself as shy. I have to be in my comfort zone, like everybody else. You have to take time to feel people out. You can't give them too much at once.
You don't need a ton of moves to get to where you want to be. You don't have to expend energy in a wasteful way. That doesn't mean not playing hard. It means playing smart.
I look at myself as one of the silly, goofy kids that walks around the halls and has fun. I'm just like everybody else.