Become It

To every youngin’ with a dream—this story is for you.

I don’t care if you want to play in the NBA, become the next Serena Williams, run your own company, start a clothing line, make music, or be the first in your family to graduate from college—whatever you see when you close your eyes at night and imagine the best version of your life… that dream is real.

But here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront:

Having a dream is one thing. Becoming it? That’s something else.

It Starts With a Feeling

When I first fell in love with basketball, I wasn’t thinking about going pro. I wasn’t thinking about money, endorsements, or having my jersey retired.

I just wanted to be on the court. I wanted the ball in my hands. I wanted to win.

But as I kept going, something shifted. It wasn’t a hobby anymore. It became a lifestyle.

I wasn’t just someone who played ball—I was a hooper. I started breathing it, living it, dreaming it. Every decision I made started to revolve around that goal.

And that’s the first lesson:

Whatever it is you want in life—you have to make it part of you.

You can’t halfway chase greatness. You gotta go all in.

The Truth About Sacrifice

I missed some things playing the game of basketball. I don’t say that for sympathy—I say it so you understand what’s real.

While my friends were at house parties or family cookouts, I was on the road.

Tournaments. Camps. Early workouts. Two-a-days.

There were birthdays I missed. Holidays too.

Sometimes I was across the country.

It hurt. Don’t get me wrong.

I wanted to be there. I wanted to laugh with my people, be around my family, kick it, joke, just be a kid.

But that dream I had? It demanded a different version of me.

And that’s what sacrifice looks like.

People think sacrifice is just about working harder than others.

But the real test is: What are you willing to give up—even if you love it?

Because distractions won’t always look like negativity.

Sometimes they come wrapped in comfort. In love. In tradition. In moments you don’t want to miss.

But if you want to go far, you’re going to have to miss some things.

And I promise—it’ll all make sense later.

The Lonely Moments

Let’s be honest. This journey? It gets lonely.

There were nights I sat alone in a hotel room, wondering if I was doing the right thing.

There were times I questioned if all the sacrifice would even pay off.

It’s easy to stay locked in when the lights are on and people are clapping for you.

But what about the nights nobody sees? The moments where it’s just you and the grind?

That’s when it matters most.

Obsession looks lonely.

But obsession is what separates the dreamers from the doers.

You don’t become great by balancing everything perfectly. You become great by going all in.

It’s lonely. But it’s worth it.

The Distractions Are Loud

Let’s talk about the phone.

That thing in your pocket? It’s powerful. But if you don’t control it, it will own you.

You get caught scrolling. Comparing. Laughing. Watching everyone else.

And meanwhile, your dream is sitting there wondering if you still care.

Don’t let your potential die in the algorithm.

I’m not saying don’t have fun. I’m not saying isolate yourself from the world.

I’m saying you need boundaries. You need to know when it’s time to unplug and tap in.

Your focus is your greatest asset. Don’t trade it for a temporary laugh or a few likes.

Even Family Can Be a Distraction

This one’s tough, but let’s keep it real.

Sometimes even the people you love the most will distract you—without meaning to.

They’ll want you at every event. Every dinner. Every celebration.

They’ll say things like “you’re always busy,” or “you forgot where you came from,” or “just this one time.”

And the guilt starts creeping in.

You start asking yourself, “Am I being selfish?”

But this is what I learned:

You’re not selfish for protecting your vision.

You’re not wrong for locking in on your purpose.

One day, the same people who didn’t fully understand your focus will be the ones bragging about you to their friends.

Stay humble, but stay the course.

Real love will always come full circle.

Nobody Owes You Anything

Let me say this loud and clear:

Nobody is coming to hand you success.

Not your coach. Not your family. Not your followers.

You gotta take it.

The game of life will test you over and over.

You’ll get overlooked. Passed up. Counted out.

People will doubt you—some will even root against you.

But that can’t break you if you’ve already made up your mind to become it.

You have to build such a strong relationship with your goal that nobody can shake it.

No outside opinion. No failure. No setback.

Because once you truly become your dream, it becomes unshakable.

You don’t need applause. You don’t need validation.

You just need hunger.

Discipline Will Set You Free

Everybody wants freedom.

Freedom to live how they want. To move how they want. To travel. To buy things. To give back.

But here’s the truth:

Discipline is the only path to real freedom.

The more disciplined you are now, the more freedom you’ll have later.

It was sacrifice.

It was obsession.

It was all those days where I could’ve played around but didn’t.

That’s the blueprint. And it don’t change just because you switch careers or switch passions.

Whether you’re in sports, business, tech, art, music, or medicine—it’s all the same.

You lock in. You do the work. You become it.

It Gets Greater Later

I know some of y’all reading this are in that middle zone.

You’ve started chasing the dream, but it feels far.

You’re sacrificing but haven’t seen the reward yet.

You’re working, but you’re tired.

Let me tell you something:

Keep going.

There’s a reason the top is so empty.

Most people quit on themselves before they ever get close.

Don’t be one of them.

Every missed event, every lonely day, every early morning, every late night—it all stacks up.

And when it finally hits? When the phone call comes, when the opportunity hits, when the payoff shows up?

You’ll understand exactly why you had to go through it.

It gets greater later.

Trust me on that.

What You Do Daily is Who You Become

You want to know how to check your progress?

Look at your daily habits.

Not your goals. Not your vision board.

But your habits.

What are you doing every single day?

What are you watching? Reading? Practicing? Who are you around?

If your habits don’t match your dreams, then your dreams are just wishes.

But if every day you’re showing up—even in small ways—you’re already becoming it.

Brick by brick.

Rep by rep.

Page by page.

Keep showing up. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re uninspired. Even when nobody claps for you.

That’s how you separate yourself.

One Day You’ll Look Back…

One day you’ll be sitting in your own crib, reflecting.

Maybe you’re signing autographs. Or giving speeches. Or mentoring the next generation.

And it’ll hit you…

All those days you sacrificed?

All those lonely moments?

All those hard decisions?

They built the life you’re now living.

It’ll be about gratitude.

You’ll look in the mirror and say:

“I really became it.”

And that moment? That’s worth everything.

Final Words to the Dreamer

So here’s my message to you:

• Become obsessed with the work.

• Don’t wait for support—move with purpose.

• Turn your pain into fuel.

• Turn your isolation into focus.

• Turn your discipline into freedom.

• And never, ever let comfort cost you your greatness.

You got one life. One shot. One legacy.

So go all in.

Sacrifice now.

Laugh later.

And one day, I promise…

You’ll realize everything you let go of wasn’t a loss—it was just room for the win.

Don’t just chase the dream.

BECOME IT.