Changing The Narrative – University of Nebraska

My Rise

And when you put in the work, doors will open for you.

Before I joined the Huskers, I was playing for the University of Tennessee and a part of the #1 team in the country. Hard to put into words how that kid who was supposed to ‘just’ graduate from high school ended up on the basketball team of two Power Five schools.

As odd as it sounds, I was proof that I was wrong, you know?

All of this time I thought me going to college was this impossible thing, and out of nowhere, there was nothing impossible about it. 

I just want to show all of the young people that they can make it, too.

There are so many talented kids who never get the opportunity to show their skills.

It’s important for me to not only change the narrative about my household, but I want to change the narrative within my community. I want my kids to go to college. I want my kids’ kids to go to college. I want that kid who could never catch a break to suddenly look up and realize that he/she could go to college.

If I could do it, anyone can do it.

This whole college experience has taught me so much. I’ve grown in ways I wouldn’t have even believed possible, and I’m not only talking about on the basketball court, either.

I’ve learned about the importance of being on time, holding down a job, and paying bills. I’ve also figured out my likes and dislikes, along with the people I want and don’t want in my life. I have learned more about Derrick, the person, than Derrick, the basketball player, in the last four years.

With graduation just around the corner, I’m proud of the man I’ve become.