University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Reflect on Mother's Day
5/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
They're the ones behind the scenes, who have spent countless hours and resources in helping their son make it to the big stage of Big Ten basketball. Heading into Mother's Day, GopherSports.com caught up with several men's basketball players to ask them about the influence their mom has had on their career, life and more.
Read their answers below.
How big of a factor was your mom in getting into basketball? Did she play?
Stephon Sharp (mom: Rebecca): My mom did not play basketball, but she did play a huge factor in getting me into playing basketball. She was the one that helped me get everywhere and signed me up for all of the leagues that I played in. Without her there's no way I would be able to be where I am at today.
Dupree McBrayer (mom: Tayra): My mom didn't play basketball but she got both of my older brothers into it. As I got older, seeing them that got me wanting to play, and I stuck with it.
Jordan Murphy (mom: Celia): My mom didn't play but she grew up on the same island as Tim Duncan, and that's like her favorite athlete of all time. So she really pushed me to become a basketball player.
Charles Buggs (mom: Terri): My mom tried to play basketball when she was young, but she wasn't very good at it so she stopped. She was big in taking me to AAU tournaments, going places, traveling with me. She was big in that aspect.
When you have a good game, what does she usually tell you? What about a bad game?
McBrayer: When I have a good game, she usually tells me, "You go boy - that's the Dupree I know." When I have a bad game she's like, "Come on, you know you're better than that."
Buggs: Her thing is, when I'm having a bad game, she's like, "Keep on pushing Charles, you can do it." Basically, she's my biggest advocate, she's always telling me to keep on working, do what you believe you can do and be the best you can. Especially when we win, and we're doing well, I get phone calls after the game with her screaming, saying "Oh my goodness Charles! You did this, you did that." They're always watching on TV.
Murphy: She usually sends me a long paragraph before the game, telling me good luck. After the game, no matter what the result is, she'll always tell me good job, and keep playing hard. She'll also tell me something I should have done, something I can do better.
Sharp: Whether it's a good game or a bad game, my Mom generally tells me the same thing. "I'm proud of you because I know you gave it everything you had and I love you."
What's the best piece of advice she has ever given you (basketball, life, or other)?
Murphy: She told me to always be positive. That's the one thing she has always taught me - be positive and never give up.
Sharp: The best piece of advice that my mom has given me to was work hard, treat people with respect, and go into things with an open mind. That advice has been useful on and off of the court for me.
McBrayer: In life, she told me don't get too stuck on one thing, always keep your head up, because you're going to make mistakes. All humans make mistakes and you just have to get over it, and get through it.
Buggs: I feel like the biggest advice she and my dad have given me is to be amazing. Be amazing at everything you do and it will help you go far.
How often does she get a chance to come to a Gopher game?
McBrayer: She actually flew out here to come watch my first game which was pretty cool.
Murphy: She didn't come to a game last year but she watched every game on TV. She would text me throughout the game, for me to read afterwards.
Buggs: She was at two games this year, probably every once in a while. This year was hard, she doesn't do the cold that much so she kinda stayed away, but my dad would come.
Sharp: My mom came to pretty much every single home game that we had this year and it meant a lot to be able to see her up in the stands.
What are you getting her for Mother's Day?
Sharp: For Mother's Day I am planning on getting my mom flowers and a spa day, and then I am going to take her out dinner with my sister.
Murphy: I'll probably get her favorite movie, The Help.
McBrayer: I don't know yet, I'm still deciding. But I know I've got some flowers that are ready to be sent to her house, and right now I'm picking out a present.
Buggs: I'll get her some different flowers. She loves tulips, so usually I like to get her some of those.
