“Sometimes I feel like being real and open to them, but at the same time, I know how much I can give you.”

I’m not trying to be like what I thought an NBA player is supposed to be growing up.

I learned how to pass when I was real young. That’s one thing I always knew how to do was find the open man.

In the game of basketball, I play first off because I love it. I love to have fun. I love to run up and down the court.

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.

In this league, experience means a lot.

My style has changed and evolved mainly because I’ve grown to have more confidence in myself.

I’m not a guy that’s going to brag or feel like I’m better than the group.

The clothes are not making me If I like it, that’s all that mattersIt’s not about the clothes. It’s about how I am as a person and how confident I am.

I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow. I just know for sure I’m going to keep playing basketball.

I just want to grow spiritually with the Lord. I’m keeping strong at it, just trying to make my walk with faith a little better.

I didn’t fall in love with it just because it was me playing. I fell in love with it because I’ve got guys like this – like these guys every single day that push me to be the best that I can be.

I’m not trying to have my whole life out there in the media.

I’m a basketball player. That’s what I do and what I love but that’s just not all who I am. I’m talented in a lot of different areas.

I love Oklahoma. The fans have been with me every night. What more can you ask for?

Every time I see you under the basket for a game, I feel confident. No matter how the game is going, I look at you – I say, if our owner’s behind us, we can do it all. I thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.

I’m just trying to grow. That’s one thing I told myself is, ‘Don’t worry about who people say is the best player’.

That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world. Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!

Don’t try to be somebody you’re not because it doesn’t work. If you try to be this perfect person or perfect persona of what you think that somebody should be when they’re involved in public office, it’s just not going to work.

I have no problem with being vetted. What I do have a problem with is being lied about and then putting that as truth.

Positive and powerful: Sometimes people won’t like me, and it’s okay. Positive and powerful: I like me, and that’s all that matters.

To the new ‘Apprentice’ candidates I would say to follow your gut instincts, be yourself and get ready to work hard for the next few months. Oh, and try to have some fun!

Accepting that your imperfections and so-called negative attributes are part of what makes you unique will help you to stop continually trying to be someone or something that you are not.

All my life I’ve been doing. For now, I’m being — being quiet, being grateful.

Advice I would give to anyone trying to find their own personal style: don’t copy anybody, just be yourself, and make your own trends.