Los Angeles Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley briefly left the Disney World bubble in late July, and as it turns out, it was to attend a funeral of a close childhood friend from Chicago. The 32-year-old recently opened up about the death of his buddy, Davaris Davis, who was shot and killed in their home town of Chicago on July 20th.

Beverley has become a staunch critic of gun violence and is doing everything he can to help his home city with this issue.

“I cried on my way to practice on the back of the bus, man,” Beverley said of his current grieving state, via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “It makes me just want to hurry up and win my championship — understanding that I have to go through every process and phase [to get] that while being fortunate to be out here with my teammates — and then get back home to my homies, get back to my friends.

“I am tired of losing people. You know? It hits home for me. I have to deal with the reality when I get back, [but until then] comforting my friends, being a leader right here, being a leader of my crew back home in Chicago.”

Beverley then went on to share how he intends to reach out to the youth of Chicago to try and steer them away from a life of violence.

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“I just want to shine a light on the city of Chicago,” Beverley said. “It ain't safe right now, it's a tough time. But there are still kids in there that want to go to the NBA and still kids in there that have dreams to be the next Patrick Beverley. And I just want to make sure that I am staying focused and doing what it takes to inspire.

“Because I am starting to lose people that's real close to me and it is starting to hit home. This [restart in the] bubble, my game, the way I carry myself is important, not only to me, but to all the inner city kids around there… I am trying to make a difference, yo. Just trying to find a way to get everyone out [of danger], you know?”

Beverley himself was raised in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the city, so he understands how it is to grow up surrounded by violence. He appreciates how lucky he is to have been able to escape the cycle, so for his part, he hopes to lend a helping hand to kids who are at an extremely vulnerable state.