That was the advice what Pāpāmoa basketballer Shalom Broughton says was the best, yet simple advice, he received from NBA Star Steven Adams to help his game, and in life in general.
Shalom, who plays a similar style to Adams and hopes to follow in the NBA star's footsteps, has been given some expert advice from the man who grew up in Rotorua.
The 17-year-old was one of only 40 players from around New Zealand invited to attend the inaugural Steven Adams' first High School Invitational, providing players with two days of intensive NBA drill training with high performance coaches and ex-players, as well as workshops on the US college scholarship process and games.
The invitational was run last year but was filmed as part of a new television series called Holding Court, which aired its first episode yesterday, following Adams as he spends time with teens who have either secured, or are working towards international scholarships.
"It was a mean experience to do different types of training," Shalom says.
"We did agility testing and vertical jumps and dynamic trainings. We learned a lot of the fundamentals of basketball as a lot of players focus too much on the flashy stuff. Some of the biggest things were to read defenders and that there are easier ways to play basketball. It was an eye-opener."
"I didn't feel pressure, I felt more excited, and I didn't really need to prove anything. I just needed to be calm."
Shalom's goal is to make it to the United States on a basketball scholarship and while he admits to not being a fan of the cameras, he knows he will have to get used to it if he's successful in America.
The former Mount Maunganui College student, who has attended Saint Kentigern College for the past two years, is in his final year of secondary school and hopes to look at his scholarship options at the end of this year.
"Education is number one priority. Basketball and schooling has a lot of crossover, it comes down to me and my time management and I am much better at it as I have got older. In terms of getting a scholarship, I have talked to a few people and there are agents that go through it. I will see how this year plays out and sort it out at the end of the year."
A 14-year-old Shalom Broughton with NBA star Steven Adams. Photo / Supplied
Shalom plays as a power forward or centre, also Adams' position, and says he doesn't mind a big of rumble. Adams has a reputation on the court as an uncompromising player but Shalom says off the court, he is an everyday bloke.
"I had met him a few times, but it was good to get to know him a bit more. You see him as a normal fulla, it makes it easier and people are more comfortable to go up to him."
Adams, whose Oklahoma City Thunder are two games into the NBA Western Conference round one series against Portland, says there is no hidden agenda in the television series.
"It's just really trying to help out. And not forgetting where you come from," he says.
"Kids in New Zealand, they get overlooked and they don't actually get an opportunity like the one I had. So that's all I'm trying to give them. It's just opportunities, the rest is up to them."
Holding Court screens on Maori Television at 8.30pm on Wednesdays.
