How It All Started
My story started long before the headlines, the cameras, and the attention that came with being in the public eye.
I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and from a young age, I knew that sports would become a major part of my life. Basketball eventually became my passion, and I dedicated myself to becoming the best player I could be. That journey led me to the University of Minnesota and, in 2004, to the NBA, when I was selected in the first round of the draft by the Utah Jazz.
But behind the headlines was my own experience—the emotions, the expectations, the hopes, and ultimately the lessons that came from it all.
This is where my story begins: not with the headlines that people remember, but with the person I was before them and the journey that followed.
About Me
From the NBA Court to Professional Pickleball and Business Strategy Competition has always been at the heart of my journey. For 13 seasons in the NBA, I competed alongside some of the world’s best athletes while representing franchises including the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Atlanta Hawks. My career was built on relentless effort, physical durability, mental toughness, and a willingness to do the work that often goes unnoticed. Rebounding, defending, competing, and doing whatever it took to help my team win became more than just parts of the game. They became principles that continue to shape how I approach every challenge. When my NBA career came to an end, the competitive drive did not. It evolved. The Transition to Professional Pickleball Professional pickleball gave me a new arena to channel that same competitive energy. While the court and the game are different, the mindset remains familiar. Pickleball demands quick reactions, mental discipline, strategic thinking, spatial awareness, and an unwavering focus on execution. Every point presents a new challenge, and every match demands the ability to adjust, compete, and stay composed under pressure. The sport has allowed me to continue challenging myself at a high level while becoming part of a vibrant and rapidly growing community of athletes, competitors, and enthusiasts. Franchises and Business Ventures My journey beyond professional sports has also led me into entrepreneurship and commercial franchise development. I have focused on building businesses, developing teams, and expanding high growth hospitality concepts. One of my notable ventures has been bringing Dave’s Hot Chicken to key Minnesota markets, including Eden Prairie and Rogers. Building and operating businesses requires many of the same qualities that shaped my career as a professional athlete. Leadership, accountability, preparation, execution, adaptability, and the ability to perform under pressure are just as important in business as they are in sports. The arena has changed, but the approach has not. Competing at the Highest Level Today, my focus extends across professional pickleball, entrepreneurship, business development, and empowering the next generation. Whether I am competing on the court, building a business, developing a team, or working with young athletes, I bring the same mindset that defined my NBA career. Prepare. Compete. Execute. Keep evolving. The goal remains simple: compete at the highest level in everything I do.
Professional Experience
From the NBA to the Restaurant Business
After years of building his career on the basketball court, I wanted to create something that would continue beyond the game. My interest in restaurants actually began during my NBA career, when my family and I started investing in Five Guys. It became my first major experience in the restaurant business and taught me the importance of good food, strong teams, and customer service.
As I moved toward life after basketball, I became particularly interested in healthy fast-casual dining. That led me to Crisp & Green, a Minnesota-based concept focused on fresh salads, grain bowls, smoothies, and wellness. I became the brand’s first franchise partner and opened locations in Minnesota, including Dinkytown, Maple Grove, and St. Paul.
But my restaurant journey didn’t stop there. In 2022, my family and I partnered with Dave’s Hot Chicken, bringing the Nashville-style chicken concept to Minnesota. What started with a smaller group of locations grew into an ambitious expansion plan covering as many as 30 restaurants across the state.
For me, the restaurant business became more than simply another investment. It became a new chapter after basketball—a way to build something with my family, stay connected to my Minnesota roots, and create businesses that could stand on their own beyond my identity as a former NBA player.
Today, my focus is less on the spotlight and more on building, growing, and creating a future through entrepreneurship.
Awards Through The Years
Prestige Award
My journey in basketball was built on years of discipline, competition, and determination. Long before I reached the NBA, I had already earned recognition as one of the most promising young basketball players in Minnesota. In high school, I was named Minnesota Mr. Basketball in 2003, while also earning McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American honors. I was also named Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year twice, in 2002 and 2003. My biggest collegiate achievement came during my only season at the University of Minnesota. I was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year by both the coaches and the media and selected to the First Team All-Big Ten. I also became the first freshman in Big Ten history to lead the conference in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 21.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in conference play.
Carrer Awards
That season helped take me to the next level. In 2004, I was selected 14th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, beginning a professional career that would span more than a decade and include eight NBA teams.
While the NBA chapter of my life brought its own challenges and accomplishments, I consider the recognition I earned before reaching the league just as meaningful. Those awards represented years of work and were the foundation for everything that followed.
Honors
Minnesota Mr. Basketball — 2003
McDonald's All-American — 2003
Parade All-American First Team — 2003
Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year — 2002 & 2003
Big Ten Freshman of the Year — 2004
First Team All-Big Ten — 2004
All-Big Ten Freshman Team — 2004
NBA First-Round Draft Selection — 2004
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