--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Early as I can remember, I was always…" description: "\"Early as I can remember, I was always next to the coaches trying to pick their brains and just learn how to be the best at the craft.\" — Fred VanVleet" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg" --- # Early as I can remember, I was always next to the coaches… ![“Early as I can remember, I was always next to the coaches trying to pick their brains and just learn how to be the best at the craft.” quote by Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg) > “Early as I can remember, I was always next to the coaches trying to pick their brains and just learn how to be the best at the craft.” [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He sought constant learning by staying close to coaches, absorbing knowledge to master his sport. **In simple terms:** He learned by watching and asking coaches. Key Takeaway Engage mentors to improve skills. Themes learning mentorship growth Mood reflective motivational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - practice sessions - team meetings - off‑season training - personal development Key Concepts skill acquisition coach‑player dynamics curiosity Questions to Reflect On - Who can you learn from today? - What questions will you ask to deepen expertise? A Different Perspective Reliance on others may limit self‑discovery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) ## Related quotes > [I was always intrigued by management and I wish I could turn the clock back and pick the brains of each of my managers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-bullard/i-was-always-intrigued-by-management-and-i-wish-i-could-turn-the/) [Jimmy Bullard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-bullard/) > [Naturally, managers and coaches are trying to find different ways to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-duggan/naturally-managers-and-coaches-are-trying-to-find-different-ways-to/) [Toni Duggan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-duggan/) > [I could sum it up in one thing: A guy has to be what he is. He's got to coach and have a philosophy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lavell-edwards/i-could-sum-it-up-in-one-thing-a-guy-has-to-be-what-he-is-he-s-got-to/) [LaVell Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lavell-edwards/) > [I've been following some of the coaches, trying to get a little bit more experience, because coaching is very different from being a player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-essien/i-ve-been-following-some-of-the-coaches-trying-to-get-a-little-bit/) [Michael Essien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-essien/) > [I think the coaches are trying to push me and get me out of my comfort zone in being able to communicate with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-herro/i-think-the-coaches-are-trying-to-push-me-and-get-me-out-of-my/) [Tyler Herro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-herro/) > [I know my mom said as early as she can remember letting me watch TV, my one treat a week when I was like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-know-my-mom-said-as-early-as-she-can-remember-letting-me-watch-tv/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [Sometimes when the nights are closing early. I remember you and I start to smile. Even though now you don't want to know me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-cullum/sometimes-when-the-nights-are-closing-early-i-remember-you-and-i/) [Jamie Cullum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-cullum/) > [I've always been interested in clothes, from as early as I can remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-stephanie-of-monaco/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-clothes-from-as-early-as-i-can-remember/) [Princess Stephanie of Monaco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-stephanie-of-monaco/) > [From as early as I can remember, I was focused on becoming a lawyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bettman/from-as-early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-focused-on-becoming-a-lawyer/) [Gary Bettman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bettman/) > [Just being raised in a home where my mother, from as early as I can remember, always taught me to be thinking about other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-robinson/just-being-raised-in-a-home-where-my-mother-from-as-early-as-i-can/) [David Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-robinson/) > [One can be a great artist without being a great technician. There have been many famous ballet stars who did not have the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-bujones/one-can-be-a-great-artist-without-being-a-great-technician-there-have/) Fernando Bujones > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) ## More by Fred VanVleet > [At the end of the day, winning games is the only thing that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/at-the-end-of-the-day-winning-games-is-the-only-thing-that-matters/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [We have people who work in regular jobs that come up to us and tell us that they hate their job and they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/we-have-people-who-work-in-regular-jobs-that-come-up-to-us-and-tell/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I mean, I was one of the best college players in my four years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-mean-i-was-one-of-the-best-college-players-in-my-four-years/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I come from one of those communities that's forgotten about and not paid attention to. Growing up, there were a lot of times where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-come-from-one-of-those-communities-that-s-forgotten-about-and-not/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [Our parents busted their butts to make us feel like we weren't broke and in our neighbourhood we were probably more well off than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/our-parents-busted-their-butts-to-make-us-feel-like-we-weren-t-broke/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [You kind of don't know what you can't do until you get out there and do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/you-kind-of-don-t-know-what-you-can-t-do-until-you-get-out-there-and/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [There's no other way for me to achieve any of the things I've achieved individually other than to be insanely confident and crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/there-s-no-other-way-for-me-to-achieve-any-of-the-things-i-ve/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I'm not the most amazing athlete - I understand that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-m-not-the-most-amazing-athlete-i-understand-that/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I was in my share of fights whether I'd be outside or in the house with my brothers, so I've always had quick hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-was-in-my-share-of-fights-whether-i-d-be-outside-or-in-the-house/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [My whole mind-set growing up was that I was not going to let myself be one of those Rockford people who didn't pan out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/my-whole-mind-set-growing-up-was-that-i-was-not-going-to-let-myself/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [No one expects an 18-year-old kid to know exactly what path they'll take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/no-one-expects-an-18-year-old-kid-to-know-exactly-what-path-they-ll/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [Toronto has become my second home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/toronto-has-become-my-second-home/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I've always had the instinct and I always have the mind to make the right play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-ve-always-had-the-instinct-and-i-always-have-the-mind-to-make-the/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I don't have to tell people that I value winning. Look at my story, do your research, I've never been on a losing team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-don-t-have-to-tell-people-that-i-value-winning-look-at-my-story-do/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [I'll continue to work on my body and find different ways to be creative to be better and be more healthy and be strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/i-ll-continue-to-work-on-my-body-and-find-different-ways-to-be/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) [Explore all 99 Fred VanVleet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) ## More Best quotes > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [Scepticism and cynicism about politics is so great that one of the best counters to it is what you can do at a local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-miliband/scepticism-and-cynicism-about-politics-is-so-great-that-one-of-the/) [Ed Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-miliband/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-want-to-be-perceived-as-a-guy-who-played-his-best-in-all-facets-not/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/i-feel-like-i-m-the-best-but-you-re-not-going-to-get-me-to-say-that/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) > [Life is where you love people and use things not use people and love things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/life-is-where-you-love-people-and-use-things-not-use-people-and-love/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [With every product, the delta between the brand and the reality determines its power over the minds of consumers, and with Trump, that delta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wilson/with-every-product-the-delta-between-the-brand-and-the-reality/) [Rick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wilson/) > [The human element should be the two players on the court, not the officials. The best officials are the ones you never notice. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-scott/the-human-element-should-be-the-two-players-on-the-court-not-the/) Gene Scott > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [Batley and Spen has a high proportion of people working in manufacturing, and we can boast the full range of industries, including high-skilled, precision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-cox/batley-and-spen-has-a-high-proportion-of-people-working-in/) [Jo Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-cox/) > [It is no secret that I have read 'The Da Vinci Code' several times. I genuinely believe that 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Angels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/it-is-no-secret-that-i-have-read-the-da-vinci-code-several-times-i/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [Any position I was going to be in, I was going to make the best of it. I always do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/any-position-i-was-going-to-be-in-i-was-going-to-make-the-best-of-it/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) Browse all 21,674 Best quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Early as I can remember, I was always next to the coaches trying to pick their brains and just learn how to be the best at the craft.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Fred VanVleet" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-next-to-the-coaches-trying-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Best" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-next-to-the-coaches-trying-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/fred-vanvleet-6190_best_early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-nex_352502.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Early as I can remember, I was always next to the coaches trying to pick their brains and just learn how to…” — Fred VanVleet", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Fred VanVleet", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Early as I can remember, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-next-to-the-coaches-trying-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/early-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-next-to-the-coaches-trying-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```