--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was growing up, I didn't have a…" description: "\"When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.\" — Kawhi Leonard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg" --- # When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero. ![“When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.” quote by Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg) > “When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.” [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lack of a local role model can shape personal drive and identity, prompting self‑reliance. **In simple terms:** No hometown hero leads to self‑made ambition. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner motivation when external examples are absent. Themes self‑reliance identity motivation Mood thoughtful inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - sports career - academic pursuits - entrepreneurship - community leadership Key Concepts psychology role models personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How do you find inspiration without a local hero? - What strategies help you create your own path? A Different Perspective Absence of a hero may also limit guidance and mentorship opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Hometown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hometown/) ## Related quotes > [He ain't no hometown hero, he on that LeBron James shit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/he-ain-t-no-hometown-hero-he-on-that-lebron-james-shit/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [When the children were growing, I didn't want to speak about the family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocelyn-wildenstein/when-the-children-were-growing-i-didn-t-want-to-speak-about-the-family/) [Jocelyn Wildenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocelyn-wildenstein/) > [Growing up I didn't watch movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/growing-up-i-didn-t-watch-movies/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Growing up I didn't want to be an actor. I sort of didn't want to go into the family business; the main reason being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/growing-up-i-didn-t-want-to-be-an-actor-i-sort-of-didn-t-want-to-go/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [I think growing up, I didn't ever attempt to define my Koreanness. It was just this intrinsic part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/i-think-growing-up-i-didn-t-ever-attempt-to-define-my-koreanness-it/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [Growing up, we didn't have anything. My mum wasn't well, so I was in three care homes then foster homes before me and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-ferguson/growing-up-we-didn-t-have-anything-my-mum-wasn-t-well-so-i-was-in/) [Rebecca Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-ferguson/) > [Growing up, I didn't have a lot and always wanted things. But I was too prideful to ask for anything; I always worked for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demar-derozan/growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-lot-and-always-wanted-things-but-i-was-too/) [DeMar DeRozan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demar-derozan/) > [When I was growing up we didn't have a massive house and there were five women running around, so my dad and I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-tomlinson/when-i-was-growing-up-we-didn-t-have-a-massive-house-and-there-were/) [Louis Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-tomlinson/) > [I had seen images of Crystal Renn and Sophie Dahl growing up, but I didn't really know about the plus-size fashion industry or how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-elsesser/i-had-seen-images-of-crystal-renn-and-sophie-dahl-growing-up-but-i/) [Paloma Elsesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-elsesser/) > [Football was probably my favorite sport growing up. But I didn't have the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-beal/football-was-probably-my-favorite-sport-growing-up-but-i-didn-t-have/) [Bradley Beal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-beal/) > [I want to experiment; I want to keep growing. I didn't want to just sit back and rest on my haunches and do the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hartnett/i-want-to-experiment-i-want-to-keep-growing-i-didn-t-want-to-just-sit/) [Josh Hartnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hartnett/) > [Growing up, I didn't really know who the Tuskegee Airmen were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hemingway/growing-up-i-didn-t-really-know-who-the-tuskegee-airmen-were/) [Anthony Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hemingway/) > [When I was growing up, I didn't have too many people I looked up to that played soccer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-too-many-people-i-looked-up-to/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [Growing up, I didn't feel cool; I didn't fit into any crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/growing-up-i-didn-t-feel-cool-i-didn-t-fit-into-any-crowd/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Growing up, I didn't really play in a lot of All-Star games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-herro/growing-up-i-didn-t-really-play-in-a-lot-of-all-star-games/) [Tyler Herro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-herro/) ## More by Kawhi Leonard > [Not all water is great for you. I drink a lot of water during the day, but I stay away from certain waters because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/not-all-water-is-great-for-you-i-drink-a-lot-of-water-during-the-day/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I just try to play every game like it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-just-try-to-play-every-game-like-it-s-game-7-of-the-nba-finals/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I'm just happy that I get the opportunity to do the things on the court that I do in practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-just-happy-that-i-get-the-opportunity-to-do-the-things-on-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I don't care about winning an MVP - the MVP doesn't mean you're the best player in the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-don-t-care-about-winning-an-mvp-the-mvp-doesn-t-mean-you-re-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Playing football helped me a lot. Just reading the quarterback's eyes and reading receivers, figuring out what they want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/playing-football-helped-me-a-lot-just-reading-the-quarterback-s-eyes/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Everybody in the NBA works on their game. I just tried to follow that lead when I was in high school, college - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/everybody-in-the-nba-works-on-their-game-i-just-tried-to-follow-that/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I definitely don't like to eat a lot before I play. I don't like to play on a full stomach. Sometimes, if I'm feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-definitely-don-t-like-to-eat-a-lot-before-i-play-i-don-t-like-to/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [If I get noticed for my individual performance, that's what happens. Other than that, I'm just trying to win the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/if-i-get-noticed-for-my-individual-performance-that-s-what-happens/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I'm not out here just for the money. I want to be a great player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-not-out-here-just-for-the-money-i-want-to-be-a-great-player/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I rarely eat breakfast because of our schedule, actually. If I do, though, I'll try to do an egg-white omelet with some bell peppers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-rarely-eat-breakfast-because-of-our-schedule-actually-if-i-do/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Coming in, I wanted to be a great player, and right now at the beginning of my career, I'm showing some slight sunshine that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/coming-in-i-wanted-to-be-a-great-player-and-right-now-at-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [It's just a great feeling, once you have a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/it-s-just-a-great-feeling-once-you-have-a-child/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I like the old-school muscle cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-like-the-old-school-muscle-cars/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I look at film, but more than watching individual players, I'm trying to watch a team's whole offensive scheme. I'm trying to know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-look-at-film-but-more-than-watching-individual-players-i-m-trying/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I was good. I probably could have gone to the NFL. I just hated practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-was-good-i-probably-could-have-gone-to-the-nfl-i-just-hated-practice/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) [Explore all 86 Kawhi Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## More Growing quotes > [I have a strong feeling about this quick movement and changing of society and populations growing - something scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroshi-sugimoto/i-have-a-strong-feeling-about-this-quick-movement-and-changing-of/) [Hiroshi Sugimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroshi-sugimoto/) > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [I became a bit of a teacher's pet, and it became known in the school by both faculty and students that I really excelled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-smith/i-became-a-bit-of-a-teacher-s-pet-and-it-became-known-in-the-school/) [Paul Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-smith/) > [Well, I've been politically involved for a really long time. Growing up in the segregated South, it was a very painful experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/well-i-ve-been-politically-involved-for-a-really-long-time-growing-up/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I always feel like I'm struggling to become someone else. Like I'm trying to find a new place, grab hold of a new life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-always-feel-like-i-m-struggling-to-become-someone-else-like-i-m/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/throughout-our-history-the-words-of-the-declaration-have-inspired/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Every woman I have ever loved has left her print upon me, where I loved some invaluable piece of myself apart from me-so different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/every-woman-i-have-ever-loved-has-left-her-print-upon-me-where-i/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [I think kids growing up, if they were picked on and feeling inferior at 12, they're going to feel that way at 72. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/i-think-kids-growing-up-if-they-were-picked-on-and-feeling-inferior/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/but-the-effect-of-her-being-on-those-around-her-was-incalculably/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [I wasn't a kid growing up thinking, 'One day I'll get an Oscar and make a speech.' That wasn't on my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-sandler/i-wasn-t-a-kid-growing-up-thinking-one-day-i-ll-get-an-oscar-and-make/) [Adam Sandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-sandler/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [I was young, but to me that was underground music. I had never heard anything like Venom or any of that stuff growing up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pajo/i-was-young-but-to-me-that-was-underground-music-i-had-never-heard/) [David Pajo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-pajo/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/) [Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/) Browse all 7,266 Growing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kawhi Leonard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-hometown-hero/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Growing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-hometown-hero/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/822/kawhi-leonard-7933_growing_when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-ho_1961080.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.” — Kawhi Leonard", "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": "Kawhi Leonard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was growing up, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-hometown-hero/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/when-i-was-growing-up-i-didn-t-have-a-hometown-hero/#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 } } ] } ```