The 2023 NBA Draft pick ended just a few weeks ago and saw sensational talent getting a platform and opportunity. One such athlete was Dereck Jerome Lively II, who was the 12th pick in the draft by Dallas Mavericks.

Speaking to the media, the rookie player expressed his joy and satisfaction at being drafted into the NBA after years of dedication and hard work. He credits his classes at Duke and an excellent Pro Day performance for his rise among the ranks. He sounded extremely eager to begin his thrilling journey.

But behind the happiness lies a massive amount of grief, grit, and strong will power. The story of his path to the NBA is one of great sorrow.

NBA star’s rough childhood

Dereck lost his father at a very young age of 8, on a dreaded January night in 2012. Big Dereck, as he was called, was famous for his struggles with drug abuse, and he had been suffering in the last few years before his untimely demise.

Kathy Drysdale, his mother, discovered Big Dereck that January night in 2012, unconscious but unharmed, lying on the living room floor. She had gotten good at getting around his drug problem as he tried and tried to get clean, but it never worked. Drysdale covered her 41-year-old spouse in a blanket, turned him on his side, and supported his head with a pillow before retiring back to bed. In the early evening, he had called to tell his wife, “I love you.”

Drysdale and Lively both felt something was off in the morning. Drysdale couldn’t hear Big Dereck’s loud snoring, and when Lively woke up to strange cries, he realised he was running late for school.

“I went to the edge of the stairs and peered down,” Lively said during an interview before the NBA draft. “I see my father black and blue, lifeless on the floor. My mom was over him with her phone in her hand screaming for help to 911. It was too late. He had overdosed on heroin. You never get over it. Whenever you go in the living room, you feel it. The spot where he was on the floor was darker and the rug was a little flatter.”

He mentioned how, for a number of years, he blamed himself for the death of his father. As an innocent child, the inability or lack of power he felt back then made him believe he was responsible.

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The fickle nature of life

Dereck and his mother faced a tough path after the passing away of Big Dereck. His drug habits meant that there was a shortage of monetary security, and Drysdale had her hands full. Her strength and unrelenting perseverance kept both of them going ahead. Lively found solace and motivation in the midst of adversity. He credits his mother’s unwavering strength and the lessons they have taught him as his driving force on and off the court.

But three years later, bad news came at his door. His mother informed him about her cancer and the beginning of her treatment. Since then, the entire process has taken a toll on his mother and himself, but their hardships only made them better suited for it. After years of chemotherapy, radiation sessions and surgery, Drysdale is on the road to recovery.

Lively’s story underscores the power of sports as a unifying force and a source of inspiration. As he faces each game with unwavering determination, he carries the hopes and support of not only his family but also a legion of fans who are moved by his strength and resilience. Dereck Lively’s journey is a testament to the human spirit, reminding us all the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

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