Dereck Lively II Reflects on Mentoring Kids at Mavs Hoop Academy, Cooper Flagg’s Arrival, and More
If we’re all ready, Dwayne, do you want to kick us off? Uh, yes. They’re What was your biggest takeaway from today? It’s being involved with the kids. You know, the kids smiling, they’re laughing, uh, even if their kids crying, you got to be able to just help them, you know, make sure that they’re feeling supported, making sure they’re comfortable, making sure they have a fun day. What were some of the things that you taught him and were they very receptive? Uh, kind of receptive, but you know, they were just going out there just competing. You know, no matter if it’s no matter if you’re a girl or boy, go out there, have fun. Go out there, compete, and just try to be a sponge. Try to learn as much as you can. No matter if it’s coaches, me, or parents out there telling you things. Try to be a sponge. How much fun did you have today? A lot of fun. A lot of fun. I was out there smiling, uh, laughing a whole lot. I’m just happy. I remember being uh in these kids positions. I might have been a little taller, but I could barely walk and chew gum. So, just seeing them out there just trying to dribble the ball, trying to do different drills. It’s just flash in the past. What was the why was it important to team up with the Mavs Academy to do this? But Oh, it was definitely important to team up with the Mavs Academy because the Mavs Academy is what Dallas is. You know, a lot of people in Dallas, a lot of kids in Dallas look up to NBA players, NFL players or professional athletes and we just got to show them how much of a person we are. You know, we’re not superheroes. We’re people. You can come up give you can come up and give us a hug. We going to hug you back. So, it’s definitely been a great position to be able to be out here with all these kids. You know, some of them are 7 years old, some of them are 13, 14. So just trying to make an impact as much as I can. Why was it important for you to give back in this way? It’s so important because you know no matter if it’s this camp here or the camp I can have in Philly in two weeks. I’m just trying to make an impact on whatever kid no matter if it’s about stuff on the court or off the court. You also had some special guests here from the Boys and Girls Club from Colin County. Why was it important to include the Boys and Girls Club? Trying to include as many people and try to reach out to as many people as we can. you know, trying to get in touch to people who never been to a game, who can only watch us on TV just to see how much of how easy it is to be here. You know, I don’t want any of them thinking that their dream is too big. I’d rather them dream bigger rather than dream smaller. Is there a big takeaway that you want these kids to, you know, ultimately go home with today? I want them to go home, listen to their parents. I want them to go home, stay out of trouble, stay in school, and I just want them to just go out there and just be a better character. You know, we talked about that a lot today. No matter uh where I am or who I’m talking to, I’m going to try to make sure I make an impact and try to change their viewpoint on one or two things. What are some of the lessons from these camps from you growing up that you take with you today as an NBA player? Um no matter if it’s me learning how to dribble and my legs at a camp or just even just going out and making friends, you know, it’s just uh you’re going to meet a lot of people you never expected to meet from a various of ages. So, I’m just glad that I can put people who are 8 years old and 14 years old and tell them to cooperate and be on the same team. So, it’s just telling them, helping them learn skills, just learn how to communicate. How have days like this helped you throughout your offseason as you’ve gone through your offseason getting ready for next year? Uh, it just shows the impact and just the influence that the Mavs, me, or anybody in in this position can have. you know, these kids are going out here and bringing up games from a Tuesday night or a Thursday night and usually for us it’s just another game, but for them it’s the biggest game in the world. So, just taking that time to just step back and realize how much of an impact we can make is really a big deal. You mentioned the friend the friendship that will be made here. What advice would you give the kiddos about having the right group of friends to achieve their goals? Uh, always tell them be as friendly as possible, be always have a smile on your face and stay out of trouble. You know, I feel like a lot of people out there is going to there’s a lot of followers instead of leaders. So, I’m just trying to teach as many kids out here to be a leader instead of following. And I know you mentioned the impact that you’re making on these kids’ lives. I know for me personally, I still have my shirt from when I went to camp overseas. And that shirt that they’re wearing is something that they’re going to hold forever. What does that mean for you? I’m just happy that they can take something back with them. No matter if it’s a jersey, no matter if it’s a towel, I’m just happy that they could take something back to just treasure this moment and remember it forever. Derek, it seems like this team overall is very community focused. What does it do for the team with that kind of mindset with a bunch of players like that? It really just shows on how much support you have when you go out on the court. You know, when you look out in the fans, when you’re looking at the crowd, you know, you never realize how many people are really out there until you go to Walmart, until you go to Target or any other grocery store and realize how much of an impact people are really feeling from me. You know, there’s people come up to me whenever I’m walking my dogs and just say how much that I’ve impacted their son. So, I’m just trying to make the best of my time, make the best of my ability, and just make an impact in my community. Yeah, going back to the offseason a little bit. We know a lot has happened. You guys got the number one pick. Cooper is now a part of the team. Just what was your reaction when you found out that you guys are getting number one pick? That was insane. You know, it was insane moment. We’re grateful for it and you know, we welcome in Coupe with open arms. You know, I called him earlier today and he’s always having a smile on his face, always cracking a joke. So, I’m making sure that he’s feeling as comfortable as possible, giving him any little detail or any little, you know, thing to give him by. because whenever I was in his position, I remember how frightened I was. And I was only 19 and he’s 18. You guys obviously share the dude connection. I mean, how far how long have you known him? I mean, uh, you know, how far does that back is that relationship? I’ve probably known him for a couple years now, at least two, three years. Uh, and he’s just been the same just smiling, cracking joke kid as I’ve always known, you know. Uh, I’m glad that he’s been able to still be a person, you know, and not having too much of a spotlight just rain on him. So no matter if he’s in the gym, no matter if he’s come by the house, he’s always just had a smile on his face and he’s always just being cool. Awesome.
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II sat down to discuss his biggest takeaways from the Mavs Hoop Academy event, his commitment to making an impact in the community, and the importance of teaching kids life skills through basketball. Lively also shared his reaction to the Mavericks landing the No. 1 pick and how he’s helping Cooper Flagg adjust to NBA life. Hear why Lively believes it’s crucial to show kids that their dreams are never too big.
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