Basketball Quote by Mahershala Ali
![“I played all four years [at St. Mary's College] with - at a certain point, basketball became the thing I was doing most, but it was really in my periphery.” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c46/mahershala-ali-6687_basketball_i-played-all-four-years-at-st-mary-s-col_2647202.jpg)
“I played all four years [at St. Mary's College] with - at a certain point, basketball became the thing I was doing most, but it was really in my periphery.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show", 2020
He reflects that basketball, though central, felt peripheral to his identity, highlighting how passions can dominate yet remain on the edge of self‑concept.
In simple terms: Basketball was central but felt peripheral.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when a passion becomes background noise.
Themes
identity
balance
focus
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
personal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- college athletics
- career planning
- personal growth
- mindfulness
Key Concepts
self‑concept
passion
peripheral engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- What activities feel peripheral despite their importance?
- How can you integrate peripheral passions into your core identity?
A Different Perspective
May overlook deeper motivations behind a dominant activity.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
![“I failed, I think, seven [or] eight times before I finally got my first [championship]. It was just, you know, just about me growing up. Now that I'm an old, old veteran-age 29-I do things a lot differently. I don't go to the gentlemen's clubs anymore. I had to slow that down.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08f/shaquille-o-neal-659_age_i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-be_2731.jpg)
