Raising Fame

Michigan State’s Coach Izzo is a passionate leader who looks for fire in his players as a sign of their true commitment. Along comes Cassius Winston, star Spartans point guard who simmers with a much quieter intensity. When Cassius’s younger brother died in November, Izzo had to balance supporting – and pushing – his young star. Here’s his parents’ story of raising the strong, steady young Cassius through a happy childhood -- and suddenly having to find a way to hold it all together when their close-knit family was shaken to its core

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You don’t become the assist king and defensive boss of the NBA just by chance. You are RAISED to become that icon. And sure enough, as Charles and Robin Paul tell it, CP3 was shaped by some tough love and strong guidance into the superstar he is today. Listen to their story of raising the legend and his older brother, and how Chris was trained from an early age to become the assist master, philanthropist and man he is today.

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She’s simply the best. The best college player, male or female, of all time. Mentored by Kobe and shattered by his loss. Setting records perhaps never to be broken. And while this is a thrill for her parents, none of it is shocking. Hear the detailed story of how Sabrina set her sights on greatness from the earliest age; how she competed fearlessly in face of bigger, older and stronger male players; how she and her twin brother hustled unsuspecting competitors for treat money in the park; how she learned to use mental fortitude to overcome stronger opponents; and how the late Kobe, whom she still texts from time to time, helped her to find that “one missing piece” for greatness.

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As a little boy, Obi watched his father’s epic street ball exploits and learned his dad’s nickname, “Dunkers Delight.” As it turned out, the apple fell close to the tree. Hear his parents’ roller coaster tale of the ups and downs of raising Obi into a dunk master himself…and how that little boy went from an unexpected arrival in their lives to a Dayton folk hero and projected top NBA draft pick.

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Coco Gauff’s parents knew when she was three years old that they had a phenom on their hands. They just didn’t know what kind. Fiercely competitive, highly focused and naturally athletic, Coco showed star-promise as a mere toddler. In this open and revealing interview, her parents share the story of Coco’s childhood, and how they collectively narrowed her focus down to tennis. They speak about her unconventional training regimen; about what she’s learned about tennis -- and life -- from the Williams sisters; about issues of race in her sport; and about how they’ve helped Coco to manage the cut-throat competition that is a regular part of her day-to-day.

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Dwyane Wade Sr. had moved away from the crumbling life of drugs and violence that had captured the mother of his young son, Dwyane Jr. He was living with a new woman and stepsons when young Dwyane came to live in his home, an effort re-starting life with structure, discipline and lots of basketball. But things weren’t always rosy for the two men. Here’s Dwyane Wade Sr.’s story of bringing up the future hall of famer often referred to as Flash.

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Dwyane Wade’s childhood was anything but idyllic. With his mother addicted to drugs and the world around him chaotic with gang violence, young Dwyane easily could have gone in the wrong direction. Despite her early challenges and inability to care for Dwyane, the amazing Jolinda Wade put her life together, became a pastor and most importantly, reclaimed her role as mother to one of the world’s most beloved athletes. This is her story of those early days, how she failed but didn’t give up, and how her famously generous son forgave and embraced her, and grew up into the man and athletic icon we now know.

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Imagine if your kid laid out all of his goals and dreams when he was just 13 years old. And made every one of them happen. Imagine if he said he was going to do it all for you, so you could stop working and enjoy life. Imagine if he loved music, and started rapping -- about you. Imagine if most of the kids he lived around were into drugs and gangs and getting into trouble. But your kid kept his head down, worked his tail off, and made good. Imagine raising Damian Lillard. Gina Johnson tells what it was like to bring up the intense, gifted man-child who quietly predicted his own superstardom -- yet remains one of the humblest stars in the NBA today.

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Lucille O’Neal, mother of the great Shaquille O’Neal, is today a wise and respected oracle whose every sentence contains a pearl of wisdom. But she was once a scared 16-year-old who found out she was pregnant by a man who had no interest in being a father, and had to face her stern religious grandmother with the news. Here is her amazing story of growing up alongside her amazing son, embarking on the journey of life together, and reaching for her own goals while helping him reach for his.

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Episode Description: At just 24, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs became the youngest quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP in NFL history. No wonder his mom is still reeling from the whirlwind of it all: he’s barely done being a kid! In a very open and heartfelt interview, Randi Mahomes talks about the challenges of sharing her famous child with the world; about raising an intensely focused and gifted kid; about her own and Patrick’s predictions for his future; about the great challenges of single motherhood; and so much more.

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