C.Hikago Bulls Guard Ayo Dosunmu lives his life with the motto “Jet Life”.
For him, this word symbolizes staying motivated, living in the moment, and always striving for higher achievements. These are the highlights of Dosunmu’s personal growth and professional rise, from Morgan’s Park High School standout to the University of Illinois star player to an integral part of the future of his NBA team in his hometown. It’s a basic aspect.
However, the phrase comes from tragedy. On August 3, 2011, Dosunmu’s best friend, Darius Brown, 13, was shot dead while playing basketball at his Metcalf Park in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.
Brown often referred to himself as a “jet,” according to Dosunmu. Since his death, Dosunmu and his circle of friends and family have made this phrase their mantra.
“When he was alive, he always said he was a jet. That was his motto. Live your life with no regrets, live in the moment,” Dosunmu revealed in April. said in an interview with Bulls TV. “Every time I do something big, me, my brother, my best friend, we throw jets just for him. Make sure he understands that he’s here with us.” please give me.”
At a press conference Wednesday at the Bulls’ practice facility, Dosunmu was asked about the new tattoo he got on his arm during the offseason, which depicts Darius swinging his left thumb and little finger in the shape of an airplane. It is
“This is my cousin named Darius. He was shot dead in Metcalf Park about 10 years ago,” Dosunmu said. “Throw this, this is just ‘Jetlife’. It means staying motivated.
“This is all my motivation, so I had to get a tattoo here for him. Every day I come here and play, I do it for him. Going through that at a young age is what got me to where I am today, so[I]had to get a tattoo for him.”
Dosunmu has honored Darius in countless ways over the years.
At Morgan Park and Illinois, Darius wore the same number 11 jersey he wore when they played basketball together as kids. (DeMar DeRozan now wears those numbers with the Bulls, which led Dosunmu to switch to his 12.)
Two months ago, Dosunmu held a community block party in Metcalfe Park to celebrate Darius’ life.
Now he carries his friends in his arms wherever he goes.
KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago contributed to this report.
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