DeAndre Bembry Has High Aspirations For This Season

Feb 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Saint Joseph
Feb 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Saint Joseph /
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Mar 13, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Saint Joseph
Mar 13, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Saint Joseph /

A Driving Force

If you ask any NBA player how they ended up in their position, chances are they would respond with a motivation that helped fuel their fire to overcome all adversity and rise to their peak. The majority of players seem to share a common motivation, which is to help their family financially after a troubled childhood that may consisted of living in poverty.

Bembry has dedicated his professional career to the loss of his brother, Adrian, who was tragically shot and killed two weeks before the NBA Draft. Bembry’s brother was in Charlotte and reportedly attempting to break up a fight when the shooting occurred.

Because of this, Bembry will be wearing No. 95 to honor his brother’s life.

"“I’m wearing No. 95 for him. Also, we’re going to do events about [preventing gun violence] in a number of cities. We’re still doing all of the paperwork, and I’m trying to find different foundations to get involved with. I’ve just been talking with my mother about what we want to do and talking to my lawyers as we try to get all the paperwork done. In addition to here in Atlanta, I want to do something in Philly, New Jersey and Charlotte because those are all areas where I actually lived in and got to see a lot of different things. I’m just trying to get that all finalized and I’ve been talking to the National Basketball Players Association about it as well. I think I’m going to try to get it going after my first season so that people know who I am a bit more and know my story. I think that’s better rather than me just trying to do it now and nobody understands what’s going on.”"

Bembry will make sure his brother’s life is remembered both on and off the court. It takes a special, mature person to face an issue as he plans to. It seems that the forming of this foundation is all Bembry’s doing. Usually, player’s agents or supporting group will suggest to form their own foundation, but Bembry is taking the initiative because it means something more to him.

He won’t only be a valuable piece for the Hawks on the floor, but an important contributor to society as a whole. What more can you ask of him?

Next: 2016-17 Player Preview: Dennis Schroder