Tormented by Friend’s Untimely Death, Carlos Boozer Withdrew From Embracing His Dad’s 1 Passion: “Once You See a Life Extinguished…”

Carlos Boozer has had a very successful NBA career. But in his younger days, he had a very tough life. While growing up, the 2x All-Star had to witness the untimely death of his friend. This was extremely impactful on the young Boozer, as he later in life decided to forgo family traditions in his family because of this.

Back in October, he published his book Every Shot Counts: A Memoir of Resilience. The book takes the fans on a journey through various stories from the life of Carlos Boozer. One of which was Boozer explaining how his memories of his friend made him not take part in his father’s passion.

Carlos Boozer did not follow his father’s footsteps

In his book, the Chicago Bulls legend talks about the hunting trips that his dad took with his friends that helped them a lot in his younger days. As Boozer turned twelve, his dad decided it was time for him to teach Boozer how to use a hunting gun.

For a young Boozer who had witnessed what a gun can do, it was a traumatic experience to hold the gun and have his finger on the trigger. Boozer said, “Once you see a life extinguished, you understand the magnitude a little pressure on the trigger can carry.“

After looking down the scope, Boozer shot at the soda can set up by his father. But the recoil from the buckshot gave him a black eye the next day.

Read More: How Similar Was Michael Jordan to Andrew Toney? Exploring the Two Prolific Scorers After Larry Bird’s Shooting Guard Comparison

Boozer’s dad knew about the experience that he went through, but he just wanted Boozer to be part of the tradition and go hunting with him. But Boozer revealed that every time he saw a gun, he remembered the moment his friend lost his life. So he never went hunting with his dad.

Losing his friend while playing basketball

When Carlos Boozer was young, he had a friend named Chris. The two of them were close friends and shared a passion for playing basketball. Boozer said that when they were young, Chris was always better than him at basketball. The both of them would always play with the older kids when they got the chance.

Watch This Story: After Leaving Travis Kelce for Beyonce, Will Taylor Swift Cheer for Chiefs vs. Packers? Matt LaFleur ‘Heard’ Something

According to the Guardian, one day, the two of them were at a local park playing after school against the older kids. That’s when the most unexpected and life-altering moment happened to a 6-year-old Boozer. Boozer’s friend Chris made a great move and made his opponent fall to the ground. The kid that fell down just got up and walked calmly to his bike, pulled out his weapon, and aimed it at Chris.

Boozer was standing right behind Chris, and the recoil from the impact made Chris fall back. Boozer held Chris in his hand, scared, and this is why he did not follow his dad’s passion. Over the years, Boozer worked without rest while thinking of his old friend everyday, and made it to the NBA.

What do you think of Boozer’s path to the NBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!