Tombe Pitia

When asked who your hero is, you chose your mom. Can you share more about why you chose this person as your hero and how they’ve inspired you?

I chose my mom as my hero because she’s sacrificed so much for me to be playing basketball. She’s takes me to all of my practices and attends all of my games. Also she’s my biggest supporter and always tells me that by working hard I can accomplish anything I want.

How has being a basketball player changed your life and what does playing basketball mean to you? 

Being a basketball player has changed my life because it has taught me the power of hard work. I wasn’t good at basketball at first but really loved playing the game. By working hard and being consistent I was able to get better and compete at a high level. Basketball has taught me the importance of teamwork, character, and sacrifice, all things I use on a daily basis.

Young people often times look up to players like you for advice and encouragement. What advice can you share with kids who may be reading this about not only being a great basketball player but about being a great human being? 

Advice that I could give to young players looking up to me or wanting to get better at basketball is just work hard and not care about what others think about you. You and only you know your abilities and what you can do, don’t let anyone try to put you in a box to how good you can get. Just keep working hard and try to perfect every skill set because you can always get better. Also everyone has their time to shine, don’t get discouraged when it’s not yours, be humble and keep working.

We all have good days and bad days. Self love and love for humanity are an important part of the mission of HHH. Being an athlete, what do you do to make sure that your mental health is as strong as your physical health? 

What I do to make sure my mental health is as strong as my physical health is meditate. Mediating helps clear my mind of bad thoughts and ideas. It helps me to focus on the good aspects of life and getting better everyday.

Coaches often have an impact on athletes both on and off the court. Can you share a few words about a coach that has inspired you?

One specific Coach that’s had a tremendous impact on my life was my first AAU Coach in the 8th grade. He was the first Coach that taught me that the only way to get the next level is by working hard and that I have all the tools to do that. He was one of the first Coaches to believe in me and believe in my potential to become an elite basketball player. I still talk to him to this day and he still gives me life lessons that don’t even have to do with basketball but just about being a good man.

Thank you so much for sharing your heart with HHH today Baron. As you know, love is at the center of what we believe in and isn’t it dope to be loved!? Anyone you want to shout out that you’re grateful for?

I’m grateful for a lot of people but I’m most grateful for my family because they’ve sacrificed so much for me to be playing basketball and pursuing my dream of getting to the NBA which I will. Since I was a kid my parents and siblings have sacrificed their time and money so that I could play basketball because I loved the game and they see the potential in me to be great. I’m close to my goal and I’m not gonna stop working until get there.