April 6, 2026 • 35 mins
This week, Yris is joined by NBA veteran and fiancé, Troy Daniels. Troy shares how he turned his lifelong dream of playing professional basketball into a reality. Despite experiencing some initial setbacks, like being undrafted out of VCU, he was able to continue moving forward and make it to the NBA thanks to his hard work and the unwavering support of his mother Cheryl. Plus, after playing basketball professionally for almost a decade and reaching incredible milestones — like winning an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers — Troy shares some valuable advice for anyone hoping to play the game as long as he did.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, guys, welcome to Against All Odds Podcasts. I'm your host,
Iris Palmer. Today we have a very special guest, the
man that I am building a life with, the father
to our son and NBA VET Troy Daniels, Superstar, Superstar
Troy Daniels. So just let you know our podcast is
about people who's the odds were against you and somehow
(00:22):
you are here in the seat, successful, thriving, and we
want to hear your story.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Cool. What you want to know, I'll tell you thing
you want to know.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So obviously I know you very well, and as you know,
I'm super into astrology and zodiac signs and for everybody watching,
I am a Taurus.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Troy is a cancer.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
And do you feel like you're a true cancer?
Speaker 2 (00:56):
I do? I do. I feel my emotions right now
as you speak.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Okay, good that we love an emotional man.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So I go based off of this app, this astrology app,
and I pulled some of your cancer traits, so I
want to see if it resonates with you, if you're
a true cancer or you feel like that's not really you.
So I'm going to read you some of them, not
all of them. Cancer traits best quality, compassion, loyalty, and
(01:25):
strong emotional intuition. Yes, life goals to have a happy
family and create a safe space. Needs to work on
being less moody and stepping out of their comfort zone.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
And this is I didn't make.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
This up, Okay, got it? Not it?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
So do you feel like any of that resonates with you?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
I feel like everything you just said was kind of
spot on. It's kind of weird because I feel like
astrology is like it's always right, and it's like it
puts everything into perspective. So I'm gonna take those notes
and go home and see if I can apply.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Okay, I feel like it really resonates with you. I
feel like you are very You're very into family, you
love to create a safe space, and I feel like
the needs to work on. I think this is definitely
a year where I think you're stepping out of your
comfort zone and exploring different avenues, which we can get
into that later on in the show. But I want
to take get back to the beginning, like to the
(02:21):
very very very beginning.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Was it always your dream to play basketball?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Yeah? It was always my dream.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
I mean I want to say, two or three years old,
Prince's age, like I kind of grew up and like,
you know, watching other guys on TV and then you know,
guys in the community like playing in the NBA or
playing basketball, and everybody wanted to make it to the
NBA in the community. So it was it was always
a thing for me in life, you know, to be
(02:49):
able to make it to the NBA and play basketball
in general.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
So how old are you when you like actually got
on a team.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I want to say on a team.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Yeah, Like I want to say maybe like six or
why I'm not really rushing Prince yet, but maybe six
or seven. I started rec league and then I kind
of figured out I was really really good, and then
it kind of it just it just stuck, you know.
I was like I always wanted to play basketball. And
then my mom was like, all right, I'm gonna keep
puting you in it. If you want to keep doing
let's do it. And that's just what it was.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
So who was who was like the parent that, like,
was your mom pushing you to like play it or
it was just something that she just felt like you
were naturally good at and she was like, we're gonna
explore this.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Pretty much. My mom pretty much my mom my mom's boy,
my own boy. Anyway, So.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
My dad, he he was around, but he just you know,
I would see him like every other weekend and stuff
like that. But he would, you know, he would definitely
you know, invite the basketball, you know thing.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
But my mom was like really on top of it.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
So I mean, hey, I owe her everything because that's
the reason why I'm here today.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So yeah, okay, So take me back through like your childhood.
So you're you're playing basketball. You're what, like you said
six seven?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
You start, you said I was six or seven, and
then I started rec league, and then from rec league
obviously middle school I think started, and then I tried
out for a team and actually did not get picked
or you know selected for the team, and it kind
of like, you know, it made me really distraught, especially
as a young kid.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
You know, you don't want to you know, you don't
you don't want to fail.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Hear the word no, But you know, I stayed with it,
and then once I got to high school, my high
school basketball coach he noticed I was really really good.
So ninth grade I started freshman year Mickey Hardy coach
Hardy Yep, So I got to ninth grade and then
he wanted to put me on varsity my tenth grade
and then up like it was like that and that's
(04:43):
that's not really.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
It's not normal in a way.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
And you know, once that happened, you know, it just
that's when I really fell in love with the.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Game and always wanted to work on my game.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
And you know, kids were at the park or they'll
go to parties and stuff like that, and I will always,
always always work on my game, make sure I work
on my game.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
So high school is really when you gained your like
recognition as like wait, I'm like pretty good at basketball, Like, sure,
I have a chance. Was there a moment then when
you and your mom would be like, wait, you can
maybe make it to the NBA?
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Yeah, for sure, Well, I would say we probably have that.
We had that idea once I got to college. I
think the goal when I was in high school was
to make it obviously out of high school and then
make it to college.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Because in high school you were named Northwest Region Player
of the Year yes, yes, and Roanoke Times Player of
the Year.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Yeah. It was a lot of player of the years
that year. For sure.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
You didn't feel then like damn, I'm good I'm about
to make it in the end, but you didn't feel that.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I mean, you feel that way, but like as a kid,
you don't really want to be too naive to where
like you're almost protecting your feelings.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
And maybe that's the cancer.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Wow, that's definitely the cancer in you, because you were
so like intuitive with your emotions.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, you were pretty pact yourself exactly.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
I mean, obviously, I think I feel like everyone has
a dream, but you don't really want to like be
naive to where it takes you out of context. And
I stayed within it, and you know, my goal was
to get to college, and then you know, ninth, tenth, eleven,
twelfth grade, it went from you know, two or three
schools to maybe thirty forty five schools and the phone
(06:17):
ringing all the time and getting letters and stuff like that,
and that was a real dope experience for me. I
think we talked about it, maybe a couple of weeks ago,
about Prince being in that position at some point.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
It's just it's a fun experience, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
And obviously high school at the time I was playing
basketball in high school, I was playing basketball in aau
as well, so it's almost like a travel team.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
So that kind of really put me on.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Put me on notice, and put you know, the coaches
and everybody on notice like, hey, this kid can really
shoot the ball.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
He can really play basketball.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
And that's kind of how I kind of catapulted myself
obviously once I got to college to having that dream
to really think like, hey, making it to the NBA
can really be possible.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
So Prince Print he does, It's easy. I can't wait
till they get old. Don't worry.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Okay, let's get to like college. So you're you went
to VCU. Yeah, and you're in college now. And so
when was the moment in college that you were like, Okay,
I'm going to make it in the NBA.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Oh, I want to say, maybe my sophomore year. No,
my junior year.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
So my sophomore year actually broke my foot. I broke
my fifth metatoris or whatever. You don't even you don't
even know what that is, but.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yes I do.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
I broke my foot. I had to get a screw
in it.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
And that really like took me to a whole other
level where I'm like I have to get back, you
know what I mean, Like this is this could be it.
These two years, It's like, I don't want to go
get a job like I want to play basketball. I
want to make it professionally. So my college coach said me,
and as a matter of fact, I can't, you know,
I got to say it. We went to the final
four of that year as well too as a mid major.
So my junior year is when Shaka Smart, my college
(07:54):
coach at the time, save me down and said, hey,
he called me Buzz. He's like, hey, look he called
me Buzz. He had Buzzy. He used to coach for Marquette.
His nickname was Buzz and I almost went to Marquette
my junior year. He sat me down right before my
junior year and he said he said that, he said, Buzz, look,
you know you have a gift that nobody really else
has on this team and kind of you know, really
(08:14):
whoever I you know, I've coached a lot of people
and they don't really have what you have. So I
really think you can make it to the NBA. You
can be an NBA player.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
And for him to speak.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Life into me like that, it really like resonated with me,
and he gave me a plan. He was like I'm
gonna give you a plan and I want you to
follow it. And I sat down and we sat down
just how we was sitting down, and he gave me
this piece of paper and it was like tons and
tons of drills on it and like time frames and
when you should do it, and it was like it
was like morning and the evening it was, or morning
and night. That's basically what it was. So for that summer,
(08:43):
as we went into my junior year, I followed that plan,
and I'm gonna be honest, like I became like an
elite shooter, not overnight, but within like three or four
months by working on my game.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I was working on my.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Game and it just became second nature to where every
time I shot the bar, I really thought it was
going in.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
And I was like, oh my god, this is crazy.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
And mind you like, you know, some of my friends
they would go to you know, house parties, college parties
and stuff like that, and I was just like, nah,
you know what, I'm think, I'm gonna follow the plan,
and you know, it translated into a great senior year.
And then I kept following the plan. It became repetitive
at that point, and then you know, we'll talk about
the NBA and.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
A second following the plan.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
It's like such a people don't realize, Like the strategy
behind having a plan is really what sets.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
You up for success for sure, no question.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
And that was like such a pivotal moment for you,
Like during that time. Also, I love like the unseen
scene that I've never seen that people haven't seen, about
your coach and him speaking life into you. And like,
you know, it's like little moments and people that like
you probably wouldn't even expect that makes such a difference
in our lives.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
You always notice when you look back, you know what
I mean, Like when you look back on it. Yeah,
you don't notice in the moment for real, you're really
appreciate it. But when you're able to look back, you know,
after all your accomplishments and your goals have been you know, obtained,
you like wow, Like that really like played a pivotabal
part to like me being who I am, you know
what I mean.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
So take us back to the moment where you weren't
drafted and what that felt like for you, because because
one of the reasons why I really wanted you on
the podcast was not only because you're my man. But
I really love that your story is so different from
the average NBA player that was just drafted. Like you
(10:41):
were undrafted, you know, like the odds are more against you,
and somehow you made it, and you made it to
play in the NBA for over seven years, where I
feel like most athletes have a very short span in
the NBA. So take me back to that moment where
you weren't drafted, where you thought you know you were
going to be after.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Then okay, let me let me take you to my
senior year. So my senior year as the season is over,
kind of what I don't know if it happens like
this now, but kind of what happened or what happens
you know around that time is like you have your
senior year.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Once the season is.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Over, you start having workouts for NBA teams, And I
was fortunate enough to have at least thirteen NBA workouts
with teams, and then one team called me back for
a second work I think it was the Pacers. They
call me back for a second workout because they want
to see kind of you know, they were like, okay,
we might really be interested.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
And I feel comfortable.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
I felt good, like okay, I'm about to make it.
Like I got you know, some workouts or whatever. And
then Draft night, we had a party at my apartment,
my mom. Everybody was there, family, everybody, you know, chips, drinks, everything,
you know, having a great time. Like, okay, my name
could definitely be called the second round. Long story short,
my name did not get called.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Two.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
You guys are all sitting around any like the visuals,
You're all sitting around and watching the TV, and you're like.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
Wait, waiting for my name. Every single time was Adam
silv and David Stern. They will get up on the
you know, the microphone or whatever, and I'm just like,
my name is for sure getting called, or usually what
happens is your agent will call you right before they
call your name.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
None of that happened, and.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
It really put me in a different just a different mood.
Like I remember crying at night, not in front of everybody,
but I cried like when I went to sleep, like
what am I gonna do? Like this is not really
you know, this is not my plan, you know what
I mean? My plan was to make it to the NBA,
and I felt like I did everything possible to be
able to get to that point and it didn't happen.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
So obviously that didn't happen.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
And then I want to see, a couple of days later,
I signed with this agent, Bill Duffian and Associates, is
a very prominent agent in the NBA. Kevin Bradbury was
my actual agent, and I signed with him. And once
I signed with him, I just knew that I was
called to be an NBA again because they're top two
agent in the league, you know what I mean. And
it just that didn't happen either. So they they basically
(12:54):
told me and said, hey, we don't think you can
be an NBA player. We think you can play overseas,
and like, you know, I think that's a better.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Fit for you.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
They're trying to ship you away.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
They were trying to ship me away, man, And I
kind of was like, you know, like because I'm not Naives,
I'm like, okay, all right, I got you. Like, so
where do we go? And I told my mom. My
mom was like, no, that's not it. She was like overseas,
it's not your plan. That's not what God has for you.
You just that's not you. You're an NBA player, You're
NBA star.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Let's just tell them your mom's saying, because Cheryl Twine,
that woman, if you're ever in trouble, if you like,
she will find she will find a way. She got you,
so she found she found a way to get in
your head, like you're not going.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
She found a way. And they actually gave me. I
think they gave me right.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
They fronted me like five K, and it was like
a whole day was oh, I got five K, and
I told my mom.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
She was like give it back. I was like, what
you mean. She's like, give it back. You don't need
to have that. I got you.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
We're gonna get through where you need to be, but
you're not gonna go with this agent and you need
to get a five K back.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
They give you five thousand sing.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Five thousand dollars.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
I guess you can call the signing bonus or like
they front you money and stuff like that after after
college whatever. But I under I understand now I didn't
understand the moment. I was like, well I got to
get the money back. I don't want to get the
money back.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Whatever.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
But once that happened, two days later, she found an
agent for me. He was a small time agent. Then
was John Spencer. I don't even know if he had
an NBA player yet, and I don't know how my
mom found him.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
I'm gonna be honest, and we love a resourceful queen exactly.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
I ended up signing with him, and he ended up
getting me a deal, like a training camp deal with
the Charlotte Hornets and let me let me.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Let me roll it back just a little bit.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
I almost went to Australia around that time too, and
I remember meeting with the team.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
That had.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Was it, oh, yeah, it was it was. It was
a team that had like one hundred thousand dollars for
me to go whatever. And then I had told my
mom again and she was like, no, So I wanted
to give you that context as well too. Everything I'm
feeding to my mom, She's like, nah, that's QUI now.
She's like, nah, you're good.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
I got you.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
And so I signed with Charlotte Hornets, you know, maybe
two or three months later for a training camp deal.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Let's forward to twenty fourteen, or you signed with Houston Rocket, Yes, gotcha?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
What was that like?
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Once I signed with John Spencer, he got me into
the D League. I played in the D League for
a while as the G League, nown but I played
in the D League. It's like a developmental league for
professionals trying to make it to the NBA. I did
not want to be there if my goal was to
like not be here. And we stayed in an apartment
that was not nice. I was eating chili beans literally
(15:23):
for like a week or two weeks straight, trying to
like figure out my money like all that, like it
was a whole thing. And then when I signed a contract,
we were getting about fifteen hundred dollars a month. That
was my contract. You had a contract, a B contract,
in a C contract. I had to B contract, which
was fifteen hundred dollars a month, and I had to
make it work.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I spent my first check.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
On a MacBook. Like I went and bought a MacBook.
That's so you and I was like and I was
like me and my roommate was like, we're going to
figure this out.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
We're going to you know what I mean. And we did.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
We figured it out, and you know, I think our
main thing was just playing basketball and trying to make
it out. But honestly, that molded me into kind of,
you know, my career in the NBA. But once I
signed with the rock or let me let me tell
you the story how I made it to the Rockets.
I want to say game forty game forty five I got.
I kind of got fed up, you know, internally, and
I'm like, I don't want to be here anymore. I
(16:09):
want to go to Australia. Take the one hundred thousand dollars.
The whole team came into the locker room was like this, nah, bro,
like nah, we need you.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Like bro, like.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
You're almost You're almost there. I was averaging almost twenty
five twenty five a game, and I came back the
next day and then the next day after that, after
we won that game, my agent called me and was like, hey,
I got something for you.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I was like, what's up.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
He was like, the Houston Rockets want to sign you
for the rest of the year. And that's not normal,
like usually they signed you for ten days, you get
a ten day contract. But they decided that they wanted
to sign me for the rest of the year, which
was like a pro rated type of contract eight hundred
thousand dollars, but it was pro rated. So I probably
was like the last six games, so I probably got
maybe twenty thousand dollars thirty thousand dollars to play for them.
(16:54):
And when I tell you, I just broke down and
started crying.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
We were in Applebee's.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
I just broke down and started crying cause I'm like,
everything that I ever worked for a paid off.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Yeah, and that's that's what it was.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
So then you got to play professional basketball for the
NBA for seven seasons?
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Yeah, I say eight, maybe nine?
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Okay eight nine seasons. Most players don't play that long.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
So do you feel like when you were.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
When you were finally playing, was it like a strategy,
a business strategy, did you or were you just like
playing and not really thinking about the longevity of your
NBA career.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
My first three years, I want to say I was
always nervous to speak to the GM when the owners
were around. I was kind of nervous to like, I
was always like walking on eggshells, and I never understood
the business around that time until I kind of got
around some real vets like Marvin Williams, Kimba Walker, Al Jefferson.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Those guys like really really like.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Helped me understand. Francisco Garcia my rookie year as well too.
He helped me, like manage my money. But I didn't
understand a business until my fourth year when I signed
a really good deal with the with the Grizzlies. And
I guess when when the money came, my confidence came,
you know, because I always felt like I was on
a minimum. I gotta be careful, how I do this,
(18:14):
how I do that. But once the real money came,
it was like I walked into the locker room. I
was like, what's up, how y'all doing? Hey, how you doing.
My name's Troy, Like I was introducing myself like that.
And it's a business. If you didn't know, the NBA
is a business more than it's a game.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
And so for like you players or like upcoming players, like,
what advice do you have for them to play? As
long as you played, I.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Would say, learn how to play the game, not the
game of basketball. Learn how to play the game of
business within basketball. If you learn how to do that,
then the sky will be the limit for you. It's
just that simple. I've learned in life, everything is relationship,
base man.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
It's just what it is. It's about who you know
and take a little love, but you can do it.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Do you also believe in like timing.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
Yeah, yeah, I do believe in timing, but I don't
think it's the end all be all. Timon definitely needs
to be on your side kind of for you to
get to where you need to get to. But you
still have to make sure that you manage your relationships
at all times because you know it might not happen
when you want it, it might happen when you least
suspect it. But you always got to make sure that
you're ready to go.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
You know, now that you're semi retired, what does life
look like for you now?
Speaker 4 (19:22):
I'm probably okay in terms of a professional I'm a
professional dad. I'm a professional dad, I'm a professional fiance.
Like anything you need, I got you.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
I'm not gonna lie.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
I feel like I am selfishly really enjoying you, just
being at home, not missing a moment, very present with
our kids. And he's like my little safe like my
safe space. So like any event anything, like I'm like,
if Troy can't go, it makes me feel like I'm naked.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
I'm like, oh, like, yeah, I got you, and it
bring does.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
But but but honestly, as an athlete, and I don't
think people understand I missed a lot of Thanksgivings, I
missed a lot of birthdays, I missed a lot of Christmas.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
Sacrifice a lot. It's a really big sacrifice.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
So like, and I was telling somebody the other day, like, honestly,
like just being around family is like I can't. I
would never change it for anything, Like I've been in
a place where I missed those things and actually being
able to be present it's you know, ALA's basketball game,
and why is dance practice or I mean soccer soccer game,
you know, princess basketball game later on down the road,
Like those things are very important to me, even being
(20:28):
here right now with you, you know.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
What I mean.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
Like if I was playing basketball right now, I wouldn't
be able to kind of be here and support you.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
And do you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
So those things are very very important to me, and
I take them.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I don't. I don't take them for granted because.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
I've been in a place where even being in Milan overseas,
like I've been in a place where you don't have
your family, or you see other people have their family
in the same capacity that you are, and you know,
you're like, wait, where's my family?
Speaker 2 (20:50):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (20:50):
So, and every year you host a Dream Big summer
basketball camp in your old high school. Yep, And it's
a thing that we love to go to every year.
We bring all the kids. Where did that idea come from?
And what do you hope to teach aspiring NBA players
that attend your camp in Roanoke?
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Okay?
Speaker 4 (21:11):
The idea came from a little boy like me or
me in the community where you know, I don't think
we had anybody ever make it from our community and
to be able to come back and give back to
those kids. And at first I was it was a
paid camp and something didn't resonate with me for charging
those kids to come to basketball camp because I've seen people,
(21:32):
you know, go on a payment plan for one hundred dollars.
I'm like, wait, this is not right, you know what
I mean. So we ended up transferring it over to
a free basketball camp for the kids, and like, I mean,
it's it's there's no greater feeling than giving back to
your community, the community that raised you. So you know,
if the camp is called dream Big, you know, we
want the kids to dream big anything as possible, no
(21:53):
matter what, and we want to definitely emphasize that no
matter what. And you know, just just giving back and
showing my kids that, hey, look I made it out
of here. And you know, this is what you do.
You go back to the community that you came from
and you give back. That's just what you do. So
if anybody's out there that is dialing theirselves or you
know that has having trouble dreaming big, you know, whether
(22:16):
you're a kid or a parent, whatever you are, just
just always remember that dreaming big it really takes nothing
other than your mindset, you know what I mean. And
you can dream about anything, but you have to believe
in it first, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Believe in yourself exactly.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
Believe in yourself because nobody else is going it's going
to be you, you know so, And I always try
to emphasize that, always try to emphasize that to the
kids when I when I come back.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
So one thing I will know because I'm there every
year for the basketball camp and I really enjoy it.
And I love the sense of community that you've built.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
And your mom.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
You know, let's shout out your mom, because your mom
really does all the boots on the ground. One we
fly and we show up and it's seeing these kids
and like the passion and like I always say to you,
like I love of the underdogs because I feel like
that was also part of like my life was like
you know, like nothing was handed to me. So when
I see these kids come to your basketball camp and
(23:08):
we're watching them and they're just like you could just
tell they just have like the hustle and like they
look at you and they're like they're looking at you
like as like hope. You know, I feel like it's
so important.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
So I'm so happy we do that. Yes, you do
that every year, of course.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
And I'm happy that I'm there to witness it and
our kids are there to you know, see it.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Who do you feel like or I.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Don't know if you've been watching anybody that like reminds
you of you or like part of the next generation
that you feel like we should be looking out for
or like looking at.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Like as like a younger kid.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Yeah, younger kid, or someone who's about to make it
that you feel like he has like he has someone
to watch for.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
You know, I can't give you a specific name, but
I think at this moment in time, there are a
lot of kids that probably won't make it. Their name
probably won't get called when it, you know, to get drafted,
and it could be any sport. Those kids are just
like me, you know, and then they can be the
kids that are overlooked. Those kids are just like me,
you know. So if you're listening to this, just know
(24:10):
that anything is possible. Like I was literally one of
those kids that was doubting myself at some point, and
you know, some just kind of kicked in, kicked in
gear from it to where It's like, YO, believe in yourself,
not only believing yourself, put the work in because you know,
at the end of the day, once you put the
work in, you give yourself the best chance.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
You might not make it.
Speaker 4 (24:27):
I'm not guaranteeing anything, but you give yourself the best
chance to make it, you know what I mean, and
making it of whatever that capacity is. Like a lot
of people, their dreams might be just getting out of
high school or whatever the case may be. It doesn't
have to be you know, I want to be a
professional NBA player. I want to be, you know, the
president of the United States. Like, it doesn't have to
be that, you know what I mean. It can be
whatever you want it to be, but you have to
(24:49):
believe in yourself first, you know. So I can't put
a pinpoint, I can't pinpoint a name, but I do
know there's a lot of kids like me, So just
continue to keep believing in yourself.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Man, I wanted touch a little bit on when we
met and you were playing for one of the best teams,
the Los Angeles Lakers, really the only team I ever watched.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
But what was that like.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Like playing for such a legendary team? What like tell
me like the feeling, what it was like playing with Lebron,
what it was like playing in LA. Because you're not
from LA, You're from Virginia. So just give me a
little bit of that, give the LA people a little
bit of what it's okay.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
And I feel like my opinion is very Validay. You know,
the Lakers weren't the only team I played on. I
played on maybe seven or eight teams, and I lived
a lot of different places.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
I'm also searching on the Lakers.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Is I'm LA And the reason why I'm saying that
is because the Lakers are a first class organization by far,
and I'm not no disrespect to any other organization out there.
Nobody doesn't like the Lakers and I was gonna be
quite frank and honest, you know what I mean, Like
as far when you go to the games that the
lights are dimmed right in the crowd, but the lights
(26:12):
are on the court, they're flash she because they want
to give you that effect of a show. You go
to a Clippers game, you can see everybody. I can
see across the you know, across the way or whatever.
But they do that on purpose to create a show,
because who's on the court is the show. And it's
like nobody really does that, you know what I mean.
When I first signed with the Lakers, I was in
Vegas and I had to fly out to meet Genie
(26:34):
and all that stuff. And I remember walking in the
office when I tell you, I've never usually I signed
my contract on my phone or I you know, go
sign a hotel.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
Lobdy here to sign your contract.
Speaker 4 (26:46):
Brought me to sign my contract. And when I walked
into office with Jeanie, she had all the trophies, all
the champion trophies all on the glass and I was.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
Honestly, like I mean, obviously I made it to the NBA,
but like that was the point where I was like, Okay,
I've really made it.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
I really made it.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
That's what I thought the feeling would be, like, I
just wanted to hear it from me.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Yes, it was just like that, Oh, I'm.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
So sad you didn't wear your championship.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
I thought about wearing it. I don't wear I don't
wear it.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
I know, don't I know, But I let's touch on
that because you did get a championship, a championship ring
with the Lakers, and that's like I feel like, well,
I don't really know, but like you correct me. I
feel like if I was an NBA player, that would
be one of my top dreams is to get a ring.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
It is to be a champion.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
The ultimate goal in the NBA obviously is to make.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
As much money as you can possibly as that's that's
the ultimate goal for sure. But you want to be
a champion because you know, when you're a champion, it
comes with respect, you know, and a lot of people
obviously respect who I am, respect me as a player.
But one thing you can't take for me is like
I'm a champion, like it just it is what it is.
So that's a big asterisk on my resume, you know
(27:54):
what I mean? So that's just that's just what it is.
And even just playing with lebn like, that's a whole
other side of things that I don't think people kind
of understand and really realize is like, yeah, I made it,
I'm playing for the Lakers. This is great, and it
comes with, you know, all the backlash of like you
have to perform. But like when you're playing with Lebron,
that's a whole it's the same exact thing on the
other side, and it's probably not like that.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Really anywhere else when you're playing with anybody else.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
So did you feel more pressure?
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Yes? I feel pressure anyway. You know.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
I think as a as a as an NBA player,
you kind of figure out how to cope with the
pressure and you figure it out and you know, really
arrive and you.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Know, perform where you need to perform.
Speaker 4 (28:36):
But when you have two layers of it, it can
be it can be tough.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
It can be tough.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
How was that for your mental Because me and you
talk a lot about mental health at home and stuff,
and we're very aware and you're actually getting into some
businesses with mental health.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Yes, but how is that.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
On your mental playing for such an elite team and
if you have a bad game, Like what are what
are your comments?
Speaker 3 (29:00):
Like? Like what what?
Speaker 2 (29:02):
What?
Speaker 1 (29:02):
What environment did that take on your mind?
Speaker 2 (29:07):
It's tough. It's tough.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
We see these guys every day on TV and they're
performing and they're playing.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Some guys don't live up to the hype.
Speaker 4 (29:15):
Some guys don't, you know, kind of do with you know,
what they want to do within their goals. So like
it's like I said, the NBA is a business. So
like when you understand all that, like you know, it
was times, you know, when I got into the locker room,
I didn't have a good game, or like I remember
one time.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
I give you an example. This is a perfect example,
right love story time. This is a perfect example.
Speaker 4 (29:34):
So I forgot what game it was or whatever, But anyway,
I was playing the game Lebron. We all playing the
game whatever for the Lakers, and Lebron threw your ball
and I caught the ball and I think I was
open to shoot it or whatever. But when I when
I went up to shoot it, it slipped out of
my hand and I couldn't shoot it. And I remember
I think I shot and missed it. They came down
and hit a shot. Coach called time out right, we
(29:56):
get to the huddle, Lebron is furious, like he's going like.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
Yo, shoot shoot the what are you doing? TDT shoot
the ball?
Speaker 4 (30:03):
I'm like, my bad, like it slipped out of my
hand whatever, blah blah blah. And I remember going home
that night like yo, like I could possibly be traded tomorrow.
Like this guy is like he's mad, he's the you
know what I mean, Like I really felt that obviously
I didn't have a good game either. So the Laker
fans are on my back, Bronze on my back, you
know what I mean. I'm like, oh wait, this I
(30:23):
could not be here again, you know what I mean,
Like or this this could be it for me.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
It was like one thing that you that you did
to cope with, like when you did have a bad game,
what the.
Speaker 4 (30:32):
Next Honestly, the next morning I would wake up and
be like, yo, you're still in the NBA first and
fifteen still has to come. Like I've dreamed about this moment,
Like at the end of the day, this is a
no brainer, like who cares, you know, but at the
end of the moment, you kind of feel that, you
know what I mean. It's like, but the way to
kind of get out of that phone. Is like, like
I told you, and like I tell these kids every day,
(30:52):
the work, the work supersedes everything because at the end
of the day, I'm still a professional and I still
do this for a living. So when I put that
into perspective and go work on my game, and like
I feel comfortable again, I'm fine, you know what I mean.
And honestly, like I was, So I'm not gonna say
I was nervous playing with the Lakers or whatever, but
like it was so much pressure. I don't think people
really understand that I wasn't able to be my real self.
(31:13):
Sometimes you feel like dang, like if they don't want
if the Lakers don't want you, nobody don't really want you.
But like once I got traded from the Lakers, it
put everything into perspective, like yo, it's people are here.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
To still value you, like like you like you know
what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (31:25):
Like, so I was kind of in a little funt
here and there, you know, playing with the Lakers, and
like I said, it's like the double time because usually
you don't have the double time of like pressure, you
have the organization and that's pretty much it. You know,
but you have the organization and another player on top
of you that can be tough, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
So let's go into rapid fire questions. Okay, I'm cool
like doing it back. What's one quote that got you
through the hardest day in the league?
Speaker 2 (31:53):
What's one quote?
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Do you have quotes or anything that you're like.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
You said quote? Yeah, quote they got me through today?
Speaker 3 (32:02):
That's got you, like through like a hard day.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
It shocka smart my freshman year and it sticks with
me to this day. The key to your freshman year,
and I'll say the key to my life is how
you respond when things don't go your way.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
That's a good one. Wow. What would you tell twenty
one year old Troy?
Speaker 4 (32:23):
Twenty one year old Troy know that this dream that
you have does not last forever and that you need
to prepare yourself for what's to come next, and so
on and so on and then.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
A little bonus, what's something about me that surprised you?
Because you are definitely like the person that I spend
most of my time with. Yeah, so I feel like,
you know.
Speaker 4 (32:53):
I don't want to say nothing really surprise. Honestly, when
I first met you, I just knew, like I could
tell you what like this, this boss type of you know,
just woman, and it doesn't surprise me. I guess it
surprised me that you know, we're like together in a
way of like I kind of got what I've always
dreamed about and always wanted, you know what I mean.
(33:15):
So I'm not really surprised because I always dream about
like or I have dreamed about being in this position
to this day, but like to act for it to
actually happen and actually be living it out, like I
have no regrets at all.
Speaker 3 (33:27):
I'm your dream girl.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
You're my dream girl. I'm just gonna be honest, not
for real though.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Well I need I just need to tell him a
quick story because when you when you got let go
from the Lakers and Denver picked you up, we were
already together, we were fully dating, and I remember I
was so sad because I was like, oh my god,
this is so crazy, Like he just had a game.
How are they just going to move him? And I
(33:51):
was so upset about it. And I went to pick
you up. Remember you as had an away game or
you were flying in and I went to Lax to
pick you up, and then we went back to your
apartment at the time in Pla Vista, and I walked
in and it.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Was fully I had got you a cookie, remember.
Speaker 1 (34:06):
Because I was so sad that I was like, oh God,
he's going to be so sad. I had got you
a cookie, and so I show up with my cookie.
And then when we pulled up to the apartment, you
had decorated the entire apartment with flowers, and I was
like so confused. I was like, we walked in and
it was nothing but rose petals everywhere, and I was like.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Wait, why is he doing this for me today?
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Like it was it was it was like one of
your like I feel like a hard day for you
and our relationship. And I was also like he just
made it like you just like made me feel like
it's always going to be okay.
Speaker 4 (34:38):
Yeah, because that's just a job man. Like people really
take that stuff into consideration. As far as always in
the NBA, he's dead. I didn't care at the moment,
you know what I mean, Like, I wanted to make
sure that you had a great Valentine's and hopefully you did.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
That wasn't Valentine, It wasn't. No, that was like months
after you just did it. Because I don't know why
you did it. You just did it. Okay, Well that's it.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You know,
I love hearing your story and where you are now
and the father you are, the fiance you are, and
the businessman you're about to be in your you know,
(35:13):
the stage in your life that you are now. I
think it's very inspiring for me to also see. And
I hope you had a fun time on.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
The podcast today I did.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
Thank you for having me against a Lots is a
Hyphenet Media group production in partnership with iheartmichauda podcast network.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
For more of your favorite shows, visit
Speaker 1 (35:33):
The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hi, guys, welcome to Against All Odds Podcasts. I'm your host,
Iris Palmer. Today we have a very special guest, the
man that I am building a life with, the father
to our son and NBA VET Troy Daniels, Superstar, Superstar
Troy Daniels. So just let you know our podcast is
about people who's the odds were against you and somehow
(00:22):
you are here in the seat, successful, thriving, and we
want to hear your story.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Cool. What you want to know, I'll tell you thing
you want to know.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So obviously I know you very well, and as you know,
I'm super into astrology and zodiac signs and for everybody watching,
I am a Taurus.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Troy is a cancer.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
And do you feel like you're a true cancer?
Speaker 2 (00:56):
I do? I do. I feel my emotions right now
as you speak.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Okay, good that we love an emotional man.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So I go based off of this app, this astrology app,
and I pulled some of your cancer traits, so I
want to see if it resonates with you, if you're
a true cancer or you feel like that's not really you.
So I'm going to read you some of them, not
all of them. Cancer traits best quality, compassion, loyalty, and
(01:25):
strong emotional intuition. Yes, life goals to have a happy
family and create a safe space. Needs to work on
being less moody and stepping out of their comfort zone.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
And this is I didn't make.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
This up, Okay, got it? Not it?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
So do you feel like any of that resonates with you?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
I feel like everything you just said was kind of
spot on. It's kind of weird because I feel like
astrology is like it's always right, and it's like it
puts everything into perspective. So I'm gonna take those notes
and go home and see if I can apply.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Okay, I feel like it really resonates with you. I
feel like you are very You're very into family, you
love to create a safe space, and I feel like
the needs to work on. I think this is definitely
a year where I think you're stepping out of your
comfort zone and exploring different avenues, which we can get
into that later on in the show. But I want
to take get back to the beginning, like to the
(02:21):
very very very beginning.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Was it always your dream to play basketball?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Yeah? It was always my dream.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
I mean I want to say, two or three years old,
Prince's age, like I kind of grew up and like,
you know, watching other guys on TV and then you know,
guys in the community like playing in the NBA or
playing basketball, and everybody wanted to make it to the
NBA in the community. So it was it was always
a thing for me in life, you know, to be
(02:49):
able to make it to the NBA and play basketball
in general.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
So how old are you when you like actually got
on a team.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I want to say on a team.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Yeah, Like I want to say maybe like six or
why I'm not really rushing Prince yet, but maybe six
or seven. I started rec league and then I kind
of figured out I was really really good, and then
it kind of it just it just stuck, you know.
I was like I always wanted to play basketball. And
then my mom was like, all right, I'm gonna keep
puting you in it. If you want to keep doing
let's do it. And that's just what it was.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
So who was who was like the parent that, like,
was your mom pushing you to like play it or
it was just something that she just felt like you
were naturally good at and she was like, we're gonna
explore this.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Pretty much. My mom pretty much my mom my mom's boy,
my own boy. Anyway, So.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
My dad, he he was around, but he just you know,
I would see him like every other weekend and stuff
like that. But he would, you know, he would definitely
you know, invite the basketball, you know thing.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
But my mom was like really on top of it.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
So I mean, hey, I owe her everything because that's
the reason why I'm here today.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So yeah, okay, So take me back through like your childhood.
So you're you're playing basketball. You're what, like you said
six seven?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
You start, you said I was six or seven, and
then I started rec league, and then from rec league
obviously middle school I think started, and then I tried
out for a team and actually did not get picked
or you know selected for the team, and it kind
of like, you know, it made me really distraught, especially
as a young kid.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
You know, you don't want to you know, you don't
you don't want to fail.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Hear the word no, But you know, I stayed with it,
and then once I got to high school, my high
school basketball coach he noticed I was really really good.
So ninth grade I started freshman year Mickey Hardy coach
Hardy Yep, So I got to ninth grade and then
he wanted to put me on varsity my tenth grade
and then up like it was like that and that's
(04:43):
that's not really.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
It's not normal in a way.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
And you know, once that happened, you know, it just
that's when I really fell in love with the.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Game and always wanted to work on my game.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
And you know, kids were at the park or they'll
go to parties and stuff like that, and I will always,
always always work on my game, make sure I work
on my game.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
So high school is really when you gained your like
recognition as like wait, I'm like pretty good at basketball, Like, sure,
I have a chance. Was there a moment then when
you and your mom would be like, wait, you can
maybe make it to the NBA?
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Yeah, for sure, Well, I would say we probably have that.
We had that idea once I got to college. I
think the goal when I was in high school was
to make it obviously out of high school and then
make it to college.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Because in high school you were named Northwest Region Player
of the Year yes, yes, and Roanoke Times Player of
the Year.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Yeah. It was a lot of player of the years
that year. For sure.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
You didn't feel then like damn, I'm good I'm about
to make it in the end, but you didn't feel that.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I mean, you feel that way, but like as a kid,
you don't really want to be too naive to where
like you're almost protecting your feelings.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
And maybe that's the cancer.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Wow, that's definitely the cancer in you, because you were
so like intuitive with your emotions.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, you were pretty pact yourself exactly.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
I mean, obviously, I think I feel like everyone has
a dream, but you don't really want to like be
naive to where it takes you out of context. And
I stayed within it, and you know, my goal was
to get to college, and then you know, ninth, tenth, eleven,
twelfth grade, it went from you know, two or three
schools to maybe thirty forty five schools and the phone
(06:17):
ringing all the time and getting letters and stuff like that,
and that was a real dope experience for me. I
think we talked about it, maybe a couple of weeks ago,
about Prince being in that position at some point.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
It's just it's a fun experience, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
And obviously high school at the time I was playing
basketball in high school, I was playing basketball in aau
as well, so it's almost like a travel team.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
So that kind of really put me on.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Put me on notice, and put you know, the coaches
and everybody on notice like, hey, this kid can really
shoot the ball.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
He can really play basketball.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
And that's kind of how I kind of catapulted myself
obviously once I got to college to having that dream
to really think like, hey, making it to the NBA
can really be possible.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
So Prince Print he does, It's easy. I can't wait
till they get old. Don't worry.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Okay, let's get to like college. So you're you went
to VCU. Yeah, and you're in college now. And so
when was the moment in college that you were like, Okay,
I'm going to make it in the NBA.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Oh, I want to say, maybe my sophomore year. No,
my junior year.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
So my sophomore year actually broke my foot. I broke
my fifth metatoris or whatever. You don't even you don't
even know what that is, but.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yes I do.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
I broke my foot. I had to get a screw
in it.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
And that really like took me to a whole other
level where I'm like I have to get back, you
know what I mean, Like this is this could be it.
These two years, It's like, I don't want to go
get a job like I want to play basketball. I
want to make it professionally. So my college coach said me,
and as a matter of fact, I can't, you know,
I got to say it. We went to the final
four of that year as well too as a mid major.
So my junior year is when Shaka Smart, my college
(07:54):
coach at the time, save me down and said, hey,
he called me Buzz. He's like, hey, look he called
me Buzz. He had Buzzy. He used to coach for Marquette.
His nickname was Buzz and I almost went to Marquette
my junior year. He sat me down right before my
junior year and he said he said that, he said, Buzz, look,
you know you have a gift that nobody really else
has on this team and kind of you know, really
(08:14):
whoever I you know, I've coached a lot of people
and they don't really have what you have. So I
really think you can make it to the NBA. You
can be an NBA player.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
And for him to speak.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Life into me like that, it really like resonated with me,
and he gave me a plan. He was like I'm
gonna give you a plan and I want you to
follow it. And I sat down and we sat down
just how we was sitting down, and he gave me
this piece of paper and it was like tons and
tons of drills on it and like time frames and
when you should do it, and it was like it
was like morning and the evening it was, or morning
and night. That's basically what it was. So for that summer,
(08:43):
as we went into my junior year, I followed that plan,
and I'm gonna be honest, like I became like an
elite shooter, not overnight, but within like three or four
months by working on my game.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I was working on my.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Game and it just became second nature to where every
time I shot the bar, I really thought it was
going in.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
And I was like, oh my god, this is crazy.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
And mind you like, you know, some of my friends
they would go to you know, house parties, college parties
and stuff like that, and I was just like, nah,
you know what, I'm think, I'm gonna follow the plan,
and you know, it translated into a great senior year.
And then I kept following the plan. It became repetitive
at that point, and then you know, we'll talk about
the NBA and.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
A second following the plan.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
It's like such a people don't realize, Like the strategy
behind having a plan is really what sets.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
You up for success for sure, no question.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
And that was like such a pivotal moment for you,
Like during that time. Also, I love like the unseen
scene that I've never seen that people haven't seen, about
your coach and him speaking life into you. And like,
you know, it's like little moments and people that like
you probably wouldn't even expect that makes such a difference
in our lives.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
You always notice when you look back, you know what
I mean, Like when you look back on it. Yeah,
you don't notice in the moment for real, you're really
appreciate it. But when you're able to look back, you know,
after all your accomplishments and your goals have been you know, obtained,
you like wow, Like that really like played a pivotabal
part to like me being who I am, you know
what I mean.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
So take us back to the moment where you weren't
drafted and what that felt like for you, because because
one of the reasons why I really wanted you on
the podcast was not only because you're my man. But
I really love that your story is so different from
the average NBA player that was just drafted. Like you
(10:41):
were undrafted, you know, like the odds are more against you,
and somehow you made it, and you made it to
play in the NBA for over seven years, where I
feel like most athletes have a very short span in
the NBA. So take me back to that moment where
you weren't drafted, where you thought you know you were
going to be after.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Then okay, let me let me take you to my
senior year. So my senior year as the season is over,
kind of what I don't know if it happens like
this now, but kind of what happened or what happens
you know around that time is like you have your
senior year.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Once the season is.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Over, you start having workouts for NBA teams, And I
was fortunate enough to have at least thirteen NBA workouts
with teams, and then one team called me back for
a second work I think it was the Pacers. They
call me back for a second workout because they want
to see kind of you know, they were like, okay,
we might really be interested.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
And I feel comfortable.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
I felt good, like okay, I'm about to make it.
Like I got you know, some workouts or whatever. And
then Draft night, we had a party at my apartment,
my mom. Everybody was there, family, everybody, you know, chips, drinks, everything,
you know, having a great time. Like, okay, my name
could definitely be called the second round. Long story short,
my name did not get called.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Two.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
You guys are all sitting around any like the visuals,
You're all sitting around and watching the TV, and you're like.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
Wait, waiting for my name. Every single time was Adam
silv and David Stern. They will get up on the
you know, the microphone or whatever, and I'm just like,
my name is for sure getting called, or usually what
happens is your agent will call you right before they
call your name.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
None of that happened, and.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
It really put me in a different just a different mood.
Like I remember crying at night, not in front of everybody,
but I cried like when I went to sleep, like
what am I gonna do? Like this is not really
you know, this is not my plan, you know what
I mean? My plan was to make it to the NBA,
and I felt like I did everything possible to be
able to get to that point and it didn't happen.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
So obviously that didn't happen.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
And then I want to see, a couple of days later,
I signed with this agent, Bill Duffian and Associates, is
a very prominent agent in the NBA. Kevin Bradbury was
my actual agent, and I signed with him. And once
I signed with him, I just knew that I was
called to be an NBA again because they're top two
agent in the league, you know what I mean. And
it just that didn't happen either. So they they basically
(12:54):
told me and said, hey, we don't think you can
be an NBA player. We think you can play overseas,
and like, you know, I think that's a better.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Fit for you.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
They're trying to ship you away.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
They were trying to ship me away, man, And I
kind of was like, you know, like because I'm not Naives,
I'm like, okay, all right, I got you. Like, so
where do we go? And I told my mom. My
mom was like, no, that's not it. She was like overseas,
it's not your plan. That's not what God has for you.
You just that's not you. You're an NBA player, You're
NBA star.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Let's just tell them your mom's saying, because Cheryl Twine,
that woman, if you're ever in trouble, if you like,
she will find she will find a way. She got you,
so she found she found a way to get in
your head, like you're not going.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
She found a way. And they actually gave me. I
think they gave me right.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
They fronted me like five K, and it was like
a whole day was oh, I got five K, and
I told my mom.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
She was like give it back. I was like, what
you mean. She's like, give it back. You don't need
to have that. I got you.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
We're gonna get through where you need to be, but
you're not gonna go with this agent and you need
to get a five K back.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
They give you five thousand sing.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Five thousand dollars.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
I guess you can call the signing bonus or like
they front you money and stuff like that after after
college whatever. But I under I understand now I didn't
understand the moment. I was like, well I got to
get the money back. I don't want to get the
money back.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Whatever.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
But once that happened, two days later, she found an
agent for me. He was a small time agent. Then
was John Spencer. I don't even know if he had
an NBA player yet, and I don't know how my
mom found him.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
I'm gonna be honest, and we love a resourceful queen exactly.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
I ended up signing with him, and he ended up
getting me a deal, like a training camp deal with
the Charlotte Hornets and let me let me.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Let me roll it back just a little bit.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
I almost went to Australia around that time too, and
I remember meeting with the team.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
That had.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Was it, oh, yeah, it was it was. It was
a team that had like one hundred thousand dollars for
me to go whatever. And then I had told my
mom again and she was like, no, So I wanted
to give you that context as well too. Everything I'm
feeding to my mom, She's like, nah, that's QUI now.
She's like, nah, you're good.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
I got you.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
And so I signed with Charlotte Hornets, you know, maybe
two or three months later for a training camp deal.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Let's forward to twenty fourteen, or you signed with Houston Rocket, Yes, gotcha?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
What was that like?
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Once I signed with John Spencer, he got me into
the D League. I played in the D League for
a while as the G League, nown but I played
in the D League. It's like a developmental league for
professionals trying to make it to the NBA. I did
not want to be there if my goal was to
like not be here. And we stayed in an apartment
that was not nice. I was eating chili beans literally
(15:23):
for like a week or two weeks straight, trying to
like figure out my money like all that, like it
was a whole thing. And then when I signed a contract,
we were getting about fifteen hundred dollars a month. That
was my contract. You had a contract, a B contract,
in a C contract. I had to B contract, which
was fifteen hundred dollars a month, and I had to
make it work.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I spent my first check.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
On a MacBook. Like I went and bought a MacBook.
That's so you and I was like and I was
like me and my roommate was like, we're going to
figure this out.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
We're going to you know what I mean. And we did.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
We figured it out, and you know, I think our
main thing was just playing basketball and trying to make
it out. But honestly, that molded me into kind of,
you know, my career in the NBA. But once I
signed with the rock or let me let me tell
you the story how I made it to the Rockets.
I want to say game forty game forty five I got.
I kind of got fed up, you know, internally, and
I'm like, I don't want to be here anymore. I
(16:09):
want to go to Australia. Take the one hundred thousand dollars.
The whole team came into the locker room was like this, nah, bro,
like nah, we need you.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Like bro, like.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
You're almost You're almost there. I was averaging almost twenty
five twenty five a game, and I came back the
next day and then the next day after that, after
we won that game, my agent called me and was like, hey,
I got something for you.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I was like, what's up.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
He was like, the Houston Rockets want to sign you
for the rest of the year. And that's not normal,
like usually they signed you for ten days, you get
a ten day contract. But they decided that they wanted
to sign me for the rest of the year, which
was like a pro rated type of contract eight hundred
thousand dollars, but it was pro rated. So I probably
was like the last six games, so I probably got
maybe twenty thousand dollars thirty thousand dollars to play for them.
(16:54):
And when I tell you, I just broke down and
started crying.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
We were in Applebee's.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
I just broke down and started crying cause I'm like,
everything that I ever worked for a paid off.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Yeah, and that's that's what it was.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
So then you got to play professional basketball for the
NBA for seven seasons?
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Yeah, I say eight, maybe nine?
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Okay eight nine seasons. Most players don't play that long.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
So do you feel like when you were.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
When you were finally playing, was it like a strategy,
a business strategy, did you or were you just like
playing and not really thinking about the longevity of your
NBA career.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
My first three years, I want to say I was
always nervous to speak to the GM when the owners
were around. I was kind of nervous to like, I
was always like walking on eggshells, and I never understood
the business around that time until I kind of got
around some real vets like Marvin Williams, Kimba Walker, Al Jefferson.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Those guys like really really like.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Helped me understand. Francisco Garcia my rookie year as well too.
He helped me, like manage my money. But I didn't
understand a business until my fourth year when I signed
a really good deal with the with the Grizzlies. And
I guess when when the money came, my confidence came,
you know, because I always felt like I was on
a minimum. I gotta be careful, how I do this,
(18:14):
how I do that. But once the real money came,
it was like I walked into the locker room. I
was like, what's up, how y'all doing? Hey, how you doing.
My name's Troy, Like I was introducing myself like that.
And it's a business. If you didn't know, the NBA
is a business more than it's a game.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
And so for like you players or like upcoming players, like,
what advice do you have for them to play? As
long as you played, I.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Would say, learn how to play the game, not the
game of basketball. Learn how to play the game of
business within basketball. If you learn how to do that,
then the sky will be the limit for you. It's
just that simple. I've learned in life, everything is relationship,
base man.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
It's just what it is. It's about who you know
and take a little love, but you can do it.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Do you also believe in like timing.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
Yeah, yeah, I do believe in timing, but I don't
think it's the end all be all. Timon definitely needs
to be on your side kind of for you to
get to where you need to get to. But you
still have to make sure that you manage your relationships
at all times because you know it might not happen
when you want it, it might happen when you least
suspect it. But you always got to make sure that
you're ready to go.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
You know, now that you're semi retired, what does life
look like for you now?
Speaker 4 (19:22):
I'm probably okay in terms of a professional I'm a
professional dad. I'm a professional dad, I'm a professional fiance.
Like anything you need, I got you.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
I'm not gonna lie.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
I feel like I am selfishly really enjoying you, just
being at home, not missing a moment, very present with
our kids. And he's like my little safe like my
safe space. So like any event anything, like I'm like,
if Troy can't go, it makes me feel like I'm naked.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
I'm like, oh, like, yeah, I got you, and it
bring does.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
But but but honestly, as an athlete, and I don't
think people understand I missed a lot of Thanksgivings, I
missed a lot of birthdays, I missed a lot of Christmas.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
Sacrifice a lot. It's a really big sacrifice.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
So like, and I was telling somebody the other day, like, honestly,
like just being around family is like I can't. I
would never change it for anything, Like I've been in
a place where I missed those things and actually being
able to be present it's you know, ALA's basketball game,
and why is dance practice or I mean soccer soccer game,
you know, princess basketball game later on down the road,
Like those things are very important to me, even being
(20:28):
here right now with you, you know.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
What I mean.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
Like if I was playing basketball right now, I wouldn't
be able to kind of be here and support you.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
And do you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
So those things are very very important to me, and
I take them.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I don't. I don't take them for granted because.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
I've been in a place where even being in Milan overseas,
like I've been in a place where you don't have
your family, or you see other people have their family
in the same capacity that you are, and you know,
you're like, wait, where's my family?
Speaker 2 (20:50):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (20:50):
So, and every year you host a Dream Big summer
basketball camp in your old high school. Yep, And it's
a thing that we love to go to every year.
We bring all the kids. Where did that idea come from?
And what do you hope to teach aspiring NBA players
that attend your camp in Roanoke?
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Okay?
Speaker 4 (21:11):
The idea came from a little boy like me or
me in the community where you know, I don't think
we had anybody ever make it from our community and
to be able to come back and give back to
those kids. And at first I was it was a
paid camp and something didn't resonate with me for charging
those kids to come to basketball camp because I've seen people,
(21:32):
you know, go on a payment plan for one hundred dollars.
I'm like, wait, this is not right, you know what
I mean. So we ended up transferring it over to
a free basketball camp for the kids, and like, I mean,
it's it's there's no greater feeling than giving back to
your community, the community that raised you. So you know,
if the camp is called dream Big, you know, we
want the kids to dream big anything as possible, no
(21:53):
matter what, and we want to definitely emphasize that no
matter what. And you know, just just giving back and
showing my kids that, hey, look I made it out
of here. And you know, this is what you do.
You go back to the community that you came from
and you give back. That's just what you do. So
if anybody's out there that is dialing theirselves or you
know that has having trouble dreaming big, you know, whether
(22:16):
you're a kid or a parent, whatever you are, just
just always remember that dreaming big it really takes nothing
other than your mindset, you know what I mean. And
you can dream about anything, but you have to believe
in it first, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Believe in yourself exactly.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
Believe in yourself because nobody else is going it's going
to be you, you know so, And I always try
to emphasize that, always try to emphasize that to the
kids when I when I come back.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
So one thing I will know because I'm there every
year for the basketball camp and I really enjoy it.
And I love the sense of community that you've built.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
And your mom.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
You know, let's shout out your mom, because your mom
really does all the boots on the ground. One we
fly and we show up and it's seeing these kids
and like the passion and like I always say to you,
like I love of the underdogs because I feel like
that was also part of like my life was like
you know, like nothing was handed to me. So when
I see these kids come to your basketball camp and
(23:08):
we're watching them and they're just like you could just
tell they just have like the hustle and like they
look at you and they're like they're looking at you
like as like hope. You know, I feel like it's
so important.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
So I'm so happy we do that. Yes, you do
that every year, of course.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
And I'm happy that I'm there to witness it and
our kids are there to you know, see it.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Who do you feel like or I.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Don't know if you've been watching anybody that like reminds
you of you or like part of the next generation
that you feel like we should be looking out for
or like looking at.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Like as like a younger kid.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Yeah, younger kid, or someone who's about to make it
that you feel like he has like he has someone
to watch for.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
You know, I can't give you a specific name, but
I think at this moment in time, there are a
lot of kids that probably won't make it. Their name
probably won't get called when it, you know, to get drafted,
and it could be any sport. Those kids are just
like me, you know, and then they can be the
kids that are overlooked. Those kids are just like me,
you know. So if you're listening to this, just know
(24:10):
that anything is possible. Like I was literally one of
those kids that was doubting myself at some point, and
you know, some just kind of kicked in, kicked in
gear from it to where It's like, YO, believe in yourself,
not only believing yourself, put the work in because you know,
at the end of the day, once you put the
work in, you give yourself the best chance.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
You might not make it.
Speaker 4 (24:27):
I'm not guaranteeing anything, but you give yourself the best
chance to make it, you know what I mean, and
making it of whatever that capacity is. Like a lot
of people, their dreams might be just getting out of
high school or whatever the case may be. It doesn't
have to be you know, I want to be a
professional NBA player. I want to be, you know, the
president of the United States. Like, it doesn't have to
be that, you know what I mean. It can be
whatever you want it to be, but you have to
(24:49):
believe in yourself first, you know. So I can't put
a pinpoint, I can't pinpoint a name, but I do
know there's a lot of kids like me, So just
continue to keep believing in yourself.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Man, I wanted touch a little bit on when we
met and you were playing for one of the best teams,
the Los Angeles Lakers, really the only team I ever watched.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
But what was that like.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Like playing for such a legendary team? What like tell
me like the feeling, what it was like playing with Lebron,
what it was like playing in LA. Because you're not
from LA, You're from Virginia. So just give me a
little bit of that, give the LA people a little
bit of what it's okay.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
And I feel like my opinion is very Validay. You know,
the Lakers weren't the only team I played on. I
played on maybe seven or eight teams, and I lived
a lot of different places.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
I'm also searching on the Lakers.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Is I'm LA And the reason why I'm saying that
is because the Lakers are a first class organization by far,
and I'm not no disrespect to any other organization out there.
Nobody doesn't like the Lakers and I was gonna be
quite frank and honest, you know what I mean, Like
as far when you go to the games that the
lights are dimmed right in the crowd, but the lights
(26:12):
are on the court, they're flash she because they want
to give you that effect of a show. You go
to a Clippers game, you can see everybody. I can
see across the you know, across the way or whatever.
But they do that on purpose to create a show,
because who's on the court is the show. And it's
like nobody really does that, you know what I mean.
When I first signed with the Lakers, I was in
Vegas and I had to fly out to meet Genie
(26:34):
and all that stuff. And I remember walking in the
office when I tell you, I've never usually I signed
my contract on my phone or I you know, go
sign a hotel.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
Lobdy here to sign your contract.
Speaker 4 (26:46):
Brought me to sign my contract. And when I walked
into office with Jeanie, she had all the trophies, all
the champion trophies all on the glass and I was.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
Honestly, like I mean, obviously I made it to the NBA,
but like that was the point where I was like, Okay,
I've really made it.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
I really made it.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
That's what I thought the feeling would be, like, I
just wanted to hear it from me.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Yes, it was just like that, Oh, I'm.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
So sad you didn't wear your championship.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
I thought about wearing it. I don't wear I don't
wear it.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
I know, don't I know, But I let's touch on
that because you did get a championship, a championship ring
with the Lakers, and that's like I feel like, well,
I don't really know, but like you correct me. I
feel like if I was an NBA player, that would
be one of my top dreams is to get a ring.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
It is to be a champion.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
The ultimate goal in the NBA obviously is to make.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
As much money as you can possibly as that's that's
the ultimate goal for sure. But you want to be
a champion because you know, when you're a champion, it
comes with respect, you know, and a lot of people
obviously respect who I am, respect me as a player.
But one thing you can't take for me is like
I'm a champion, like it just it is what it is.
So that's a big asterisk on my resume, you know
(27:54):
what I mean? So that's just that's just what it is.
And even just playing with lebn like, that's a whole
other side of things that I don't think people kind
of understand and really realize is like, yeah, I made it,
I'm playing for the Lakers. This is great, and it
comes with, you know, all the backlash of like you
have to perform. But like when you're playing with Lebron,
that's a whole it's the same exact thing on the
other side, and it's probably not like that.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Really anywhere else when you're playing with anybody else.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
So did you feel more pressure?
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Yes? I feel pressure anyway. You know.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
I think as a as a as an NBA player,
you kind of figure out how to cope with the
pressure and you figure it out and you know, really
arrive and you.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Know, perform where you need to perform.
Speaker 4 (28:36):
But when you have two layers of it, it can
be it can be tough.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
It can be tough.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
How was that for your mental Because me and you
talk a lot about mental health at home and stuff,
and we're very aware and you're actually getting into some
businesses with mental health.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Yes, but how is that.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
On your mental playing for such an elite team and
if you have a bad game, Like what are what
are your comments?
Speaker 3 (29:00):
Like? Like what what?
Speaker 2 (29:02):
What?
Speaker 1 (29:02):
What environment did that take on your mind?
Speaker 2 (29:07):
It's tough. It's tough.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
We see these guys every day on TV and they're
performing and they're playing.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Some guys don't live up to the hype.
Speaker 4 (29:15):
Some guys don't, you know, kind of do with you know,
what they want to do within their goals. So like
it's like I said, the NBA is a business. So
like when you understand all that, like you know, it
was times, you know, when I got into the locker room,
I didn't have a good game, or like I remember
one time.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
I give you an example. This is a perfect example,
right love story time. This is a perfect example.
Speaker 4 (29:34):
So I forgot what game it was or whatever, But anyway,
I was playing the game Lebron. We all playing the
game whatever for the Lakers, and Lebron threw your ball
and I caught the ball and I think I was
open to shoot it or whatever. But when I when
I went up to shoot it, it slipped out of
my hand and I couldn't shoot it. And I remember
I think I shot and missed it. They came down
and hit a shot. Coach called time out right, we
(29:56):
get to the huddle, Lebron is furious, like he's going like.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
Yo, shoot shoot the what are you doing? TDT shoot
the ball?
Speaker 4 (30:03):
I'm like, my bad, like it slipped out of my
hand whatever, blah blah blah. And I remember going home
that night like yo, like I could possibly be traded tomorrow.
Like this guy is like he's mad, he's the you
know what I mean, Like I really felt that obviously
I didn't have a good game either. So the Laker
fans are on my back, Bronze on my back, you
know what I mean. I'm like, oh wait, this I
(30:23):
could not be here again, you know what I mean,
Like or this this could be it for me.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
It was like one thing that you that you did
to cope with, like when you did have a bad game,
what the.
Speaker 4 (30:32):
Next Honestly, the next morning I would wake up and
be like, yo, you're still in the NBA first and
fifteen still has to come. Like I've dreamed about this moment,
Like at the end of the day, this is a
no brainer, like who cares, you know, but at the
end of the moment, you kind of feel that, you
know what I mean. It's like, but the way to
kind of get out of that phone. Is like, like
I told you, and like I tell these kids every day,
(30:52):
the work, the work supersedes everything because at the end
of the day, I'm still a professional and I still
do this for a living. So when I put that
into perspective and go work on my game, and like
I feel comfortable again, I'm fine, you know what I mean.
And honestly, like I was, So I'm not gonna say
I was nervous playing with the Lakers or whatever, but
like it was so much pressure. I don't think people
really understand that I wasn't able to be my real self.
(31:13):
Sometimes you feel like dang, like if they don't want
if the Lakers don't want you, nobody don't really want you.
But like once I got traded from the Lakers, it
put everything into perspective, like yo, it's people are here.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
To still value you, like like you like you know
what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (31:25):
Like, so I was kind of in a little funt
here and there, you know, playing with the Lakers, and
like I said, it's like the double time because usually
you don't have the double time of like pressure, you
have the organization and that's pretty much it. You know,
but you have the organization and another player on top
of you that can be tough, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
So let's go into rapid fire questions. Okay, I'm cool
like doing it back. What's one quote that got you
through the hardest day in the league?
Speaker 2 (31:53):
What's one quote?
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Do you have quotes or anything that you're like.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
You said quote? Yeah, quote they got me through today?
Speaker 3 (32:02):
That's got you, like through like a hard day.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
It shocka smart my freshman year and it sticks with
me to this day. The key to your freshman year,
and I'll say the key to my life is how
you respond when things don't go your way.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
That's a good one. Wow. What would you tell twenty
one year old Troy?
Speaker 4 (32:23):
Twenty one year old Troy know that this dream that
you have does not last forever and that you need
to prepare yourself for what's to come next, and so
on and so on and then.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
A little bonus, what's something about me that surprised you?
Because you are definitely like the person that I spend
most of my time with. Yeah, so I feel like,
you know.
Speaker 4 (32:53):
I don't want to say nothing really surprise. Honestly, when
I first met you, I just knew, like I could
tell you what like this, this boss type of you know,
just woman, and it doesn't surprise me. I guess it
surprised me that you know, we're like together in a
way of like I kind of got what I've always
dreamed about and always wanted, you know what I mean.
(33:15):
So I'm not really surprised because I always dream about
like or I have dreamed about being in this position
to this day, but like to act for it to
actually happen and actually be living it out, like I
have no regrets at all.
Speaker 3 (33:27):
I'm your dream girl.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
You're my dream girl. I'm just gonna be honest, not
for real though.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Well I need I just need to tell him a
quick story because when you when you got let go
from the Lakers and Denver picked you up, we were
already together, we were fully dating, and I remember I
was so sad because I was like, oh my god,
this is so crazy, Like he just had a game.
How are they just going to move him? And I
(33:51):
was so upset about it. And I went to pick
you up. Remember you as had an away game or
you were flying in and I went to Lax to
pick you up, and then we went back to your
apartment at the time in Pla Vista, and I walked
in and it.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Was fully I had got you a cookie, remember.
Speaker 1 (34:06):
Because I was so sad that I was like, oh God,
he's going to be so sad. I had got you
a cookie, and so I show up with my cookie.
And then when we pulled up to the apartment, you
had decorated the entire apartment with flowers, and I was
like so confused. I was like, we walked in and
it was nothing but rose petals everywhere, and I was like.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Wait, why is he doing this for me today?
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Like it was it was it was like one of
your like I feel like a hard day for you
and our relationship. And I was also like he just
made it like you just like made me feel like
it's always going to be okay.
Speaker 4 (34:38):
Yeah, because that's just a job man. Like people really
take that stuff into consideration. As far as always in
the NBA, he's dead. I didn't care at the moment,
you know what I mean, Like, I wanted to make
sure that you had a great Valentine's and hopefully you did.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
That wasn't Valentine, It wasn't. No, that was like months
after you just did it. Because I don't know why
you did it. You just did it. Okay, Well that's it.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You know,
I love hearing your story and where you are now
and the father you are, the fiance you are, and
the businessman you're about to be in your you know,
(35:13):
the stage in your life that you are now. I
think it's very inspiring for me to also see. And
I hope you had a fun time on.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
The podcast today I did.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
Thank you for having me against a Lots is a
Hyphenet Media group production in partnership with iheartmichauda podcast network.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
For more of your favorite shows, visit
Speaker 1 (35:33):
The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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