NBA D-League's Jamael Lynch talked about growing up in Brooklyn and giving back.
In an interview with John Dabla of "Keeping It Real with John," NBA D-League's Jamael Lynch revealed how he came to love basketball and how he is giving back to his hometown.
"I'm from Brooklyn, New York... Growing up in the projects, there's a lot of things that you need to overcome aside from just growing up with a single parent home," Lynch told the host.
"It was a little rough at times so I had the opportunity to be skilled at playing basketball. That's what took me away from a lot of things that I probably would have got into if it weren't for the game."
"I love the game and it has brought me all around the world from when I was eight until now still seeing the world because of basketball," he added. "It's been a great ride, man."
Lynch credited being raised in New York for his passion. "Growing up in Brooklyn, it gives you that sort of greediness," the NBA D-League player said.
"You have this tough attitude and you take that to the court - it translates - and it definitely [affected] who I am today not only in basketball but in business and my relationships... Be true to the game and the game will be true to you."
Jamael Lynch also talked about his nonprofit organization, Big and Little Skills Academy. It was founded in 2011.
"I wanted to give kids the opportunity to be better than me -- to be better than what I was, than what I am. Not just in basketball but in all aspects of life," he explained.
"The Big and Little Skills Academy is a holistic viewpoint on basketball... We want to build a person rather than just an athlete."
Lynch added that if kids want to become like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant, they have to develop their mind, body and spirit.
