Having followed Smart’s journey throughout his career, Justice and his mother have become accustomed to enjoying the star’s tenacious, hard-nosed, no-nonsense type of approach on the court. Now, as the mother and child get to know Smart more closely, they have also become impressed with his gentle, loving personality.

“He’s a beast on the court, but let’s be honest, Marcus is a total Carebear off the court,” Brooks said. “He has a pure heart. He’s a very nice, respectable young man. And, you know, to me, he’s an emotional person. He has that balance. He can be passionate, and he can be strong. I was very impressed by him, by being an athlete of his stature, how just humble he was and genuine. And when you’re around him, he’s just like an everyday person.”

Marcus Smart

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