“I realized I could not fulfill my responsibilities to the team from both a time and energy standpoint. I need to take a step back and take some time away, both mentally and physically in order to prepare for the upcoming NBA season.”

I’ve been second my whole life.

And last, my mom. I don’t think you know what you did. You had my brother when you were 18 years old. Three years later, I came out. The odds were stacked against us. Single parent with two boys by the time you were 21 years old. Everybody told us we weren’t supposed to be here.

I want to show people who I really am, especially aspiring basketball players who want to be at this level. That’s what I’m about.

Music has always been a big part of my life. It’s kind of like a refuge for me. I just use it to get away.

I look at my jersey and see the NBA logo, I’m like, ‘I didn’t think I’d be here.’

I’ll play all five positions if my team needs me to.

Work harder than your opponent.

I just loved being in the gym. It was tough at times. Sometimes I wanted to quit, but I’m glad I stuck with it.

I’ve been more content with just who I am.

If I continue to just get to the playoffs every year, I guess you could say I arrived, but right now I’m just trying to find my way.

You hear all these stories about, ‘There’s one in a million guys that make it to the NBA and stay there.’ To see people cheering for me and when they say my name, it’s just crazy. It’s still crazy to me.

I’ve learned what it feels like to lose, believe me. But I think, in the end, that is just going to make winning that much better.

Beautiful fans of Oklahoma City, I can’t say enough about you guys. All the support you give our team. The home-court advantage we have is the best I’ve ever seen. We disappoint you sometimes, but we try our best every single night to win for you guys. And we want to win a championship for you guys.

If it’s controversy out there, or if it’s some false stories out there, I want to clear it up. That’s just what I’m all about.

I want to go down as a winner.

Dad, it’s been an up-and-down road for all of us, but you’ve always been there supporting from afar, texting me Bible verses every single day, telling me you love me every single day. That builds me up and I thank you so much. I love you. I’m just glad you’re part of this journey with us.