Growing up in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, basketball wasn’t the only thing that kept me busy. While the court was my sanctuary, another world brought joy, competition, and connection into my life: video games. And the person who introduced me to this magical world wasn’t a teammate, a friend, or even my older brother—it was my mom.

It started on a rainy Saturday afternoon when I was about eight years old. The weather had canceled outdoor plans, and my energy, which was usually spent shooting hoops at the park, had nowhere to go. I was sulking in the corner of our small living room, feeling trapped, when my mom, Wanda, pulled out a box I had never seen before.

“What’s that?” I asked, curiosity breaking through my boredom.

She smiled, holding up a sleek, black console with a colorful logo on it. “This is a PlayStation,” she said. “I figured it might be fun for us to try it out.”

Us? My mom wanted to play video games? That was the first shock. I knew she worked hard—two jobs, late nights, early mornings. But somehow, she always found time to be there for me, whether it was cheering at my basketball games or helping me with my homework. Now, she was about to dive into a completely new world with me.

We hooked it up to our old TV, and she handed me a controller. The first game she loaded up was an old NBA title. I don’t remember much about the graphics—they were nothing compared to today’s games—but I remember how excited she was as she picked her team and started mashing buttons.

At first, she wasn’t very good. Her player would run in circles or shoot from half-court, and she’d laugh so hard tears streamed down her face. “Kevin, stop going easy on me!” she’d say, even though I wasn’t. But every now and then, she’d hit a lucky shot, and her celebration was as dramatic as if she’d just won a championship.

Those moments became our thing. Whenever she had a rare evening off, we’d set up the console and play together. Over time, she started buying new games—racing games, adventures, even puzzles. She wasn’t just introducing me to gaming; she was showing me how it could bring people together.

As I got older, gaming became more than just a way to pass time. It became a way to unwind, a way to bond with my friends, and a way to stay competitive off the court. Even now, as a professional basketball player, gaming is still a huge part of my life. Whether it’s a late-night session of NBA 2K or teaming up with my teammates in a battle royale, video games give me the same joy they did when I was a kid sitting next to my mom on that old couch.

My mom taught me that life is about balance. She showed me that it’s okay to take a break, to enjoy something just for the fun of it. And even though she doesn’t play much anymore, every time I pick up a controller, I think about those rainy afternoons and the laughter we shared. So, to my mom, Wanda, the real MVP: thank you for teaching me to love the game—on and off the court.