So athletics have always been part of the family dynamic.

 So athletics have always been part of the family dynamic.

"He just grew up in an environment where he knew he was expected to compete hard and give everything he had. He played with and against good competition so he always played with a chip on his shoulder," said Lupe Nunez, who has some flexibility with his work schedule and has made a good share of ASU games despite the distance.

"There were times we put him in position to fail because that's part of the process too. Learning to deal with adversity is something you grow from and we wanted him to experience that too."

"The foundation from AAU was teaching me what the right thing to do is. If you turn the ball over, make an effort and go get it. Just don't put your head down and sulk. Go back on defense and you can still make a play. Basketball, so many things can happen. No need to let one mistake turn into two. You can't stop playing," he said. "I have been taught to attack things with a fearless attitude, no matter who is in front of you. Going to be ups and downs, but can't be afraid to go get it."