Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks all have skills on the court. They have the man with the best handles in NBA history, Kyrie Irving. An elite coach with an insane on-court IQ in Jason Kidd also leads them to victory these days. Now, it seems like they have found the glue guy that keeps them inspired for games. He may be a rookie but Dereck Lively II surely knows how to inspire people to do better.

The Mavericks rookie was interviewed by Jonah Javad of WFAA. He talked about their system with Jason Kidd, mentorship with Tyson Chandler, and ended with the causes he wants to help with like cancer. In the end, Dereck Lively II was given the chance to give a parting message to the audience.

“Thank you all for your time. To whoever is watching, just please don't give up. No matter what you are going through, no matter if it's school, health, relationships, or people in your family. Life is supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everybody would be great. To be great, you have to go through hard things,” the Mavericks starting center said.

Dereck Lively II's journey to the Mavericks

Mavs rookie Dereck Lively II yelling

Related Dallas Mavericks NewsArticle continues below
NBA Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner (15) during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Mavericks won 103-94.
Dirk Nowitzki joins LeBron James, Steve Nash to break down signature play
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against the Houston Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
DeMarcus Cousins proposes Mavericks’ Kevin Durant-Cooper Flagg swap

It took Lively a long road before getting into his position with the Mavericks. He started out in Wessttown School in Pennsylvania. The young basketball player had to see his family endure realities like cancer and single parenthood at the start of his career. His resilience allowed him to take it all in and help. Moreover, he was still able to get to McDonald's All-American status because of his mindset.

The Duke basketball program would then pick him up. There he showed out and helped the Blue Devils ravage the ACC. He ended the year by notching both All-Freshman honors along with making an All-Defensive team.

Opportunities would surface and he took them all the way to the NBA Draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder grabbed him with the 12th overall pick of the 2023 class. He made his way to the Mavericks afterward where Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving badly needed an inside presence. Now, he has gained the trust of Jason Kidd such that he has gotten a big role on the team.

Lively speaks from the heart when he inspires. Hopefully, it translates to not just his teammates but other people who need those words.