“I’ve been through so much s— in my life. When people say pressure, come on, fam. Pressure is like the boogeyman; it’s only real in your mind. The boogeyman doesn’t exist to me. I’ve literally almost been killed before, bro.” This is how Darvin Ham describes his life.

His past life, filled with incredible challenges, has shaped him today to the man he is today. His resilience and perspective have carried him through struggles that many can’t imagine. While his basketball career is well known, let’s deep dive into his off-court life.

Where was Darvin Ham born? The Milwaukee Bucks coach’s nationality revealed

Darvin Ham was born Darvin Demonte Ham Sr., on July 23, 1973, in Saginaw, Michigan. Thus, making him a proud American. As his nationality is known, his ethnicity, on the other hand, is not known. So, it’s safe not to assume anything. And with that, let’s look into his family.

Growing up in Saginaw, Darvin was the hooper who was raised by his mother, Wilmer Jones-Ham, who made history as the city’s first female mayor. Saginaw was a tough place during his youth, especially in the late 1980s. The challenges of his environment would eventually become a defining part of his story.

Remember the many shootings in 1988 in Saginaw? It was from one of those incidents where Ham has a strong story to tell. So here it is. When he was just 14 years old, Darvin found himself in violence. It was the 20th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, and the heat of summer was suffocating the city. Ham was out for a pizza when a shooting broke out in a parking lot.

As they turned onto their street, a man fleeing the scene of a drug deal gone wrong shot backward at his pursuers. One of the bullets missed its target and struck Darvin in the jaw, lodging in the back of his neck. The bullet was removed, and doctors marveled at how lucky he was. “I could have been dead so easily,” he later reflected. The shooting was part of a wave of violence that plagued Saginaw that year, with 50 shootings and 21 homicides in just two months.

Although he survived the shooting, the experience left a lasting impact!

According to him, it did not just define him; it shaped him. He became focused on living authentically and holding firm to his principles. “I’m not afraid of failure or success. I’m only afraid of not being authentic,” he shared. For the hooper, it was a reminder to never take life for granted.

Today, his past influenced him to raise his own three children, teaching them the lessons learned from his experiences. Darvin Ham’s story reminds us of the unshakable belief in life one must have, no matter the struggles. It’s about staying true to yourself.

So, when people ask about Ham’s roots, they’re not just talking about where he was born. They’re talking about a man who rose from hardship, never backing down, and always staying authentic. As his journey continues to inspire, let’s look into what his religion is. Or if he follows any.

What religion does Darvin Ham follow?

For Darvin Ham, faith has always been central to his life, both on and off the court. Back in 2022, during his introduction as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach in 2022, he made it clear that his success was guided by his strong belief in God.

“First of all, I want to thank God,” he shared at his press conference. “I was raised in a household with strong, spiritual faith, belief in God and His Son Jesus Christ, so I want to start with that.” Ham’s faith has shaped the way he views his life and career, from overcoming personal challenges to his approach to coaching. And by this, it’s clear that he follows Christianity.

Throughout his journey, he has been guided by the belief that God’s timing is everything. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities that led him to the Lakers, stating, “I put my faith in God. He’s the Master of all plans.” His faith is a cornerstone, providing him strength through hardships, like surviving a gunshot wound at age 14.

For Ham, basketball is not just a game but a platform to live his faith. “Everything I’ve been able to overcome in my life, along with the people around me, it’s been that Spirit that was instilled in me as a youngster,” he said. His faith in God, his ability to stay grounded, and his belief in the power of love and respect are key principles he brings to his coaching.

With faith as his foundation, Darvin Ham hopes to inspire his players to excel both as athletes and as individuals. How will this faith-based approach impact his leadership with the Bucks? Do share your thoughts in the comments session below.