I lived to play basketball. Growing up as a kid, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics were my favorite team. The way they played, the teamwork, the sacrifice, the commitment, the joy, the camaraderie, the relationship with the fans.

Growing up, my dream was to play Division I basketball. I also knew that one day I would like to be a Division I head coach. The Citadel was the school that allowed me to do that. To be able to play basketball and be a head coach at the same school is a dream come true.

I was a total jock growing up. I went to super-dorky basketball clinics and was handpicked to play on a state team called the Texas Heat.

When I was growing up, skateboarding was big and basketball was big.

Growing up, my whole family played basketball, and we would have our battles in the backyard. There would be bleeding and crying.

I was a better basketball player growing up in high school than I was a swimmer. Basketball to this day is my favorite sport.