Jaden Mantingou
Jaden, who is your hero?
My hero is Russell Westbrook. He was one of the first players I ever watched who made me fall in love with basketball. He played with an exciting energy that I try to play with every time I step on the floor. He is the reason why I wear the number 0 He encourages me to persevere no matter what others say about you.
How has being a basketball player changed your life?
Basketball and my experience through the game have taught me more than I could have ever imagined. Communication, leadership, and patience. I feel my extroverted personality comes from playing basketball and the relationships I’ve made. It has taught me how to respond to adversity especially in life outside of sports.
What advice can you share with kids about being a great basketball player and being a great human being?
A quote that I’ve heard and really like was, “the man who believes he can and the man believe he can’t are both right.” I wasnt always great at basketball and on the 7th grade AAU team I was cut from the A team and moved to the B team. I wasn’t the kid who could score 20 points but I did believe in myself and played harder than any match up. The work you put in will not show overnight. I didn’t have a single college interest until the summer before my junior year of high school. If you want something, as long as you work harder than anyone else to get it, it will be yours.
What do you do to ensure your mental health is as strong as your physical health?
I surround myself with people I can trust and talk to. I am so blessed to have so many great coaches and teammates that I can go to about anything. I can talk to them without a second thought. My relationship with God also leads me down a path of little worry. Prayer is a daily activity for me and can help me clear my head when I am feeling anxious or worried.
Who in your life brings you love and encouragement?
4 core people who have had my back always. First my mom and my dad. They are my biggest supporters and hold me accountable when I need it, push me harder than anyone and show me the most love even on my hardest days. Next my coach, Coach Haup. he has transformed me into a player that I could have only dreamed of being. FInally Coach Charlie from Gamepoint. Since I joined GP in the 6th grade he has always challenged me to be the best player I could be. He saw the potential in me that I could not see in myself. He has helped position me to where I am today.
How old are you and what is the biggest lesson you have learned in your life?
I am 18. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is from my dad. He always tells me, “you write your own story.” This has always motivated me. I have no one else to blame if I am not where I want to be. This saying reminds me that the things you want to be in life are for the taking and will not just come to you.
What do you wish adults would understand about kids?
We think a different way. Often adults may think that kids are trying to challenge them when they dont agree with a certain way of thinking. We are growing up in a time where knowledge is at our fingertips. Adults should give kids a chance. Youth presective should be more heavily valued as we may see things in a way adults fail to see.
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