--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was maybe 12, 13, I started…" description: "\"When I was maybe 12, 13, I started watching film on him and highlights. Then I realized what my dad really was. When I was young, he's just my dad and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/116/domantas-sabonis-6382_ball-player_when-i-was-maybe-12-13-i-started-watchin_2502598.jpg" --- # When I was maybe 12, 13, I started watching film on him… ![“When I was maybe 12, 13, I started watching film on him and highlights. Then I realized what my dad really was. When I was young, he's just my dad and he's a basketball player.” quote by Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/116/domantas-sabonis-6382_ball-player_when-i-was-maybe-12-13-i-started-watchin_2502598.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/116/domantas-sabonis-6382_ball-player_when-i-was-maybe-12-13-i-started-watchin_2502598.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/116/domantas-sabonis-6382_ball-player_when-i-was-maybe-12-13-i-started-watchin_2502598.jpg) > “When I was maybe 12, 13, I started watching film on him and highlights. Then I realized what my dad really was. When I was young, he's just my dad and he's a basketball player.” [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A child's perception of a parent evolves as they recognize the parent's professional identity beyond the familial role. **In simple terms:** Seeing dad as an athlete, not just dad. Key Takeaway Recognize multiple facets of people you love. Themes family identity role models Mood reflective nostalgic Type personal insightful When to use this quote - family gatherings - youth sports - career discussions Key Concepts personal growth parental influence Questions to Reflect On - When did you first see a parent in a new light? - How does this shift affect your relationship? A Different Perspective Children may idealize parents, overlooking complexities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-player/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ## Related quotes > [Obviously I knew my dad was a basketball player, but at the age of 11 or 12, I really found out who my dad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/obviously-i-knew-my-dad-was-a-basketball-player-but-at-the-age-of-11/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [I was always an athlete; my grandfather and my dad are basketball players, and I played sports my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-was-always-an-athlete-my-grandfather-and-my-dad-are-basketball/) [Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/) > [I grew up as an only child. I think it might just be that my dad really didn't care that I was a girl.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-baker/i-grew-up-as-an-only-child-i-think-it-might-just-be-that-my-dad/) [Mitchell Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-baker/) > [He was just dad to me. I never really looked at him as Mr. Supergroup, John Bonham.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-bonham/he-was-just-dad-to-me-i-never-really-looked-at-him-as-mr-supergroup/) [Jason Bonham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-bonham/) > [“You didn't like him, did you, Dad?" "It wasn't that I didn't like him," my dad says slowly. "It was just that he lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-green/you-didn-t-like-him-did-you-dad-it-wasn-t-that-i-didn-t-like-him-my/) [Jane Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-green/) > [“I realized Dad was no long talking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kahler/i-realized-dad-was-no-long-talking/) [Katrina Kahler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kahler/) > [It was much later that I realized Dad's secret. He gained respect by giving it. He talked and listened to the fourth-grade kids in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-lawrence-lightfoot/it-was-much-later-that-i-realized-dad-s-secret-he-gained-respect-by/) [Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-lawrence-lightfoot/) > [It was okay for Wayne Gretzky's dad, for instance, to give him a hockey stick, or Joe Montana's dad to give him a football,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-connors/it-was-okay-for-wayne-gretzky-s-dad-for-instance-to-give-him-a-hockey/) [Jimmy Connors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-connors/) > [My dad was a basketball coach, and so I went to his games. But baseball was the sport I could enjoy with him, whereas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-van-gundy/my-dad-was-a-basketball-coach-and-so-i-went-to-his-games-but-baseball/) [Stan Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-van-gundy/) > [I grew up in a small town in Illinois, and my dad was a basketball coach. Thanks to him, I have excellent fundamentals in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-grew-up-in-a-small-town-in-illinois-and-my-dad-was-a-basketball/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [I just love being with the kids, I know when I was a kid and I had basketball players come over and visit us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/i-just-love-being-with-the-kids-i-know-when-i-was-a-kid-and-i-had/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [My main focus every game is to just go out there and give it my all. There's no tiptoeing into it or playing 50%.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/my-main-focus-every-game-is-to-just-go-out-there-and-give-it-my-all/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [My dad is my best friend, not just my dad. We hardly ever bump heads, but when we do, we just work it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-garcia/my-dad-is-my-best-friend-not-just-my-dad-we-hardly-ever-bump-heads/) [Danny Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-garcia/) > [“I know I'm not a perfect dad, Amber. But I'm trying." You don't have to be perfect, I say."Just be my dad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-danziger/i-know-i-m-not-a-perfect-dad-amber-but-i-m-trying-you-don-t-have-to/) [Paula Danziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-danziger/) > [He was just Dad. But it's hard to deny who he was when you're brought out on stage, and you're standing beside this great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carter-cash/he-was-just-dad-but-it-s-hard-to-deny-who-he-was-when-you-re-brought/) [John Carter Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carter-cash/) ## More by Domantas Sabonis > [Winning is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/winning-is-important/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [I love taking my nap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/i-love-taking-my-nap/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [It can open kids' dreams to pursue a sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/it-can-open-kids-dreams-to-pursue-a-sport/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [All I've ever wanted was to come out and play strong for someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/all-i-ve-ever-wanted-was-to-come-out-and-play-strong-for-someone/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [Maybe I set too many screens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/maybe-i-set-too-many-screens/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [Leaving with a 'W' always makes it better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/leaving-with-a-w-always-makes-it-better/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [I always look at the way my dad passes out of the post and finds his players. He makes his teammates better, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/i-always-look-at-the-way-my-dad-passes-out-of-the-post-and-finds-his/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [If someone falls down, you've got to go pick them up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/if-someone-falls-down-you-ve-got-to-go-pick-them-up/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [I just want to be on a team that wants me and can win, and believes in me and is excited for what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/i-just-want-to-be-on-a-team-that-wants-me-and-can-win-and-believes-in/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [I don't like sitting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/i-don-t-like-sitting-out/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [A lot of guys don't like me because of how physical I am on those screens. But if I was on their team, they'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/a-lot-of-guys-don-t-like-me-because-of-how-physical-i-am-on-those/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [That's your job as a big man. I don't know. Growing up, that's what you do, set screens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/that-s-your-job-as-a-big-man-i-don-t-know-growing-up-that-s-what-you/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [We just grew up watching the game, and we all really wanted to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/we-just-grew-up-watching-the-game-and-we-all-really-wanted-to-play/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [Other than what the guys are listening to in the locker room, I got some Ed Sheeran too. He was the first concert I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/other-than-what-the-guys-are-listening-to-in-the-locker-room-i-got/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [Ever since I was growing up, the big man gets the ball in the post. That's just how it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/ever-since-i-was-growing-up-the-big-man-gets-the-ball-in-the-post/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) [Explore all 99 Domantas Sabonis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) ## More Ball player quotes > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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You've got to like competing. That's how your team gets better, when you have competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herm-edwards/i-competed-every-day-as-a-professional-football-player-you-ve-got-to/) [Herm Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herm-edwards/) > [“I can’t wait to knock you up and have a whole team of little baseball players around this place!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-sterling/i-can-t-wait-to-knock-you-up-and-have-a-whole-team-of-little-baseball/) [J. Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-sterling/) > [MOST AMAZING FOOTBALL PLAYER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD && IN REAL MADRID](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-amazing-football-player-in-the-entire-world-in-real-madrid/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My older brothers were both basketball players so I just grew up around the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brook-lopez/my-older-brothers-were-both-basketball-players-so-i-just-grew-up/) [Brook Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brook-lopez/) > [I'm a basketball player, so I want to do whatever I've got to do to be on the floor and I'm prepared for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrese-haliburton/i-m-a-basketball-player-so-i-want-to-do-whatever-i-ve-got-to-do-to-be/) [Tyrese Haliburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrese-haliburton/) > [“Seeing yourself in print is such an amazing concept: you can get so much attention without having to actually show up somewhere. While others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/seeing-yourself-in-print-is-such-an-amazing-concept-you-can-get-so/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People say baseball players should go out and have fun. No way. To me, baseball is pressure, I always feel it. This is work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-eckersley/people-say-baseball-players-should-go-out-and-have-fun-no-way-to-me/) [Dennis Eckersley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-eckersley/) > [Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/canada-is-a-country-whose-main-exports-are-hockey-players-and-cold/) [Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/) > [“The great thing about baseball players, from the point of view of personal hygiene, is how seldom they break a sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/the-great-thing-about-baseball-players-from-the-point-of-view-of/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [A lot of scouts and people are enamored with athleticism and youth. So they take that any day over mature, high-quality basketball players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-brogdon/a-lot-of-scouts-and-people-are-enamored-with-athleticism-and-youth-so/) [Malcolm Brogdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-brogdon/) > [I'm a baseball player. I've done this my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sale/i-m-a-baseball-player-i-ve-done-this-my-whole-life/) [Chris Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sale/) Browse all 1,395 Ball player quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was maybe 12, 13, I started watching film on him and highlights. Then I realized what my dad really was. 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