The Singleton Family, Pass the Torch: A Basketball Legacy Between Father and Son

In this special Fatherhood Month episode, Jason Singleton Sr., Director of Athletics at Columbus Academy and former Ohio State basketball captain, sits down with his son, Jason Singleton Jr., one of the nation's top basketball prospects and future Harvard student-athlete. 

Legacy sounds big until you realize it is built in ordinary moments: early mornings, hard conversations, long drives, and the choice to do the right thing when nobody is clapping. Their father-son dynamic is calm, honest, and deeply practical, and it turns Fatherhood Month into something more meaningful than a highlight reel.

We talk about Detroit roots, a blue-collar work ethic, and the mentors who helped widen a young man’s vision. Jason Sr. explains why raising a successful young man matters more than raising a successful athlete, and how integrity and faith shape a family culture that stays “one” through every season. Jason Jr. shares the moment he knew basketball could be real, how he avoids pressure tied to his father’s name, and why Harvard was the best fit: relationships with the coaching staff, elite academics, and a trusted support system away from home.

The heart of the conversation is “passing the torch” as a rite of passage. We dig into resilience, grit, leadership, and the transferable lessons sports can teach for life and work. We also spotlight service beyond trophies, including Jason Jr.’s foundation and a free youth basketball camp designed to give kids opportunity, encouragement, and practical support.

If you care about fatherhood, faith-filled leadership, student-athlete mindset, Harvard basketball, or building a generational legacy, press play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more families can build a legacy worth following.

Transcript

Season Seven And Fatherhood Month

SPEAKER_03 0:00

Welcome to season seven of Be a Baller, the podcast where successes at the goal legacy is. This season is all about digital living, leading with purpose, serving with faith, and leaving a mark that outlives us. We go beyond the highlights, bringing you real conversations with legacy builders for ministry, business, sports, education, and community. Leaders committed to the wisdom pledge, paying it forward to the next generation. If you're ready for faith-filled leadership and practical wisdom to live on purpose and finish strong, let's be a baller, legacy style.

SPEAKER_05 0:37

Welcome to a special Fatherhood Month episode of the Be a Baller Podcast. Today's episode is part of our Pastor Torch Generational Legacy series. This series is sponsored by First Merchants Bank helping you prosper. Join us today are Jason Singleton Jr. and Jason Singleton Sr. Jason Sr. is director of athletics at Columbus Academy, former Ohio State basketball captain and leader of the Buckeyes 1999 Final 14. Was that fun or not?

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Oh yeah, it was a great time.

SPEAKER_05 1:11

His career has included professional basketball, education, mentoring young men, young people, and athletic administration. His son, Jason Jr., has carved out an impressive path of his own, a four-star recruit and one of the top basketball prospects in the nation. He recently completed an outstanding career at Columbus Academy that includes over a thousand career points, Ohio Division V State Player of the Year honors, conference championships, state championship appearance, and now prepares to continue his academic and athletic journey at Harvard University. Today, we're talking about family, fatherhood, basketball, leadership, legacy, and what it means to really pass the torch from one generation to the next. Gentlemen, welcome to Be a Baller Podcast. Thank you. Thank you. Man, I had to give you all a good introduction because we're going to be talking about a lot of stuff. Y'all got so much to talk about, but I'm going to get it all in. I ain't leaving anything there.

SPEAKER_00 2:07

Looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_05 2:08

All right. Bless

Detroit Roots And Blue Collar Drive

SPEAKER_05 2:09

you. Yeah. So let's let's jump in and talk about how important uh family is and the foundation of family. Jason, take me back to you growing up. I think from Detroit, correct? Correct. Yeah, take me back to your family found growing up.

SPEAKER_00 2:22

Yeah, I I grew up in uh Detroit, Michigan, uh like to say on the corner of Assault and Battery. Uh it wasn't the greatest uh neighborhood. Um my mom uh raised me as a single parent. And you know, she did a phenomenal job of keeping me involved in sports and keeping me involved in uh traveling and just providing lots of exposure for me so I can see uh that there are other options uh in the world. And I think traveling and just seeing the world at a young age was uh something that helped me. And just I had so many good coaches who were role models and mentors. And you know, uh although I have a small family, I realize how important you know, you know, family is.

SPEAKER_05 3:06

Chase, can you can you also share about what values were poured into you that you're now trying to pass on to your children?

SPEAKER_00 3:13

Uh growing up in Detroit, it's a blue-collar city. Uh so I learned the value of just you know, grinding, putting your hard hat on, going to work, no days off, and just putting in the the time and the commitment. You know, my grandfather worked uh for Chrysler all his life. You know, I I have uh one of my first cousin, he's like a brother to me. He's been at uh Chrysler all his life. It is Detroit is just a blue-collar town. And you know, I've learned that you know, whatever I do, you're not gonna outwork me.

SPEAKER_05 3:47

Jason Jr., growing up, uh, what lessons did you learn from watching your father that had nothing to do with basketball?

Raising Good People First

SPEAKER_01 3:54

Um, kind of like what he just said, just to work hard and everything that you do, no matter if it's sports, school, treating your family right, just whatever you do, work hard and put all put your all into it.

SPEAKER_05 4:06

As a father, what has been more important to you, raising a successful athlete or raising a successful young man?

SPEAKER_00 4:14

Definitely raising a successful young man. And uh I I always you know knew that you know athletics was gonna work out. But you know, I I wanted to make sure that I had a a son and a daughter who were good people, uh, good quality uh citizens, uh good friends. You know, I wanted my son to be good to his sister and and for her to be good to him and just treat people with respect. And if if I can install those good core values, I knew that everything else would work out.

SPEAKER_05 4:43

Uh Jason Jr., I know you're you're you're soft-spoken like your dad, but you on my podcast, I'm gonna get something out of it. I'm loosening both of y'all up in a minute. You know, but uh Jason Jr., when people see your accomplishments, they see the player. What do they not see about your family to help shape what you become?

SPEAKER_01 5:02

Um, I mean, yeah, just being like my support system, um, no matter if it's my dad, my sister, my mom, even like my my grandparents, uncles, and stuff, they all are kind of there for me all the time outside of sports. So whatever I'm dealing with, I can kind of talk to them and they'll just I know they'll always be there for me.

SPEAKER_05 5:18

You know, as we think about family, what are some family values that have become an important part of the singleton family culture?

SPEAKER_00 5:28

Uh I would say integrity. Uh you know, I think family, we um we we try to you know live the right way and we realize that if if if we're good people, good things are gonna happen for us. Um you know, we preach that over and over and over again. You know, sometimes you're gonna have uh roadblocks and hurdles uh that's gonna come up in life, but if if we're uh you know God fearing and you know loving, then everything's gonna work out.

SPEAKER_05 5:56

Jason Jr., what is you know, we we talk in sports a lot about culture, how important culture is. What is the singleton family culture? How would you describe your family culture?

SPEAKER_01 6:07

Um, just as one, I'd say. I mean, even if whatever's going on in our family, we're still always like one together, always love each other, always support each other, always want what's best for each other, always pushing each other to be our best.

SPEAKER_05 6:19

Great, great. And you guys have done an excellent job with that, you know. Excellent job with

Defining The Singleton Family Culture

SPEAKER_05 6:24

that. Jason Jr., at what point, at what point did you realize basketball could become a major part of your future?

SPEAKER_01 6:30

Um, I mean, I've kind of feel like I always knew that I could be good, but I'd say probably my sophomore years when I realized like I could actually be pretty good and be a real Division I player. But uh growing up, I always had like that dream and thought like I know I can if I really try and put effort into it. But sophomore years, I feel like when I realized I can really do this.

SPEAKER_05 6:50

Yeah, take me back to that moment. I know there's a moment in that sophomore year. Was that when you dunked on somebody, or what was that moment when you said, hey, I'm I can be good at this game?

SPEAKER_01 7:00

Probably the last game of sophomore year in the district championship we lost, but I had a pretty good game, and then that kind of that kind of got me going, got my confidence going, knowing that I could really do it.

SPEAKER_05 7:10

Good, good, great.

Balancing Dad Mode And Coach Mode

SPEAKER_05 7:12

Uh Jason, I might have to call you juice a few times, but uh how how do you balance being a father while also being someone who understands the game at a very high level?

SPEAKER_00 7:22

I feel like that's probably one of the the the most challenging things, uh trying to teach him and my daughter um athletics and sports and the game beyond the game. The I mean it it's such a a mental, a mental game. And I also don't want to lecture them and I know they don't want to hear it sometimes. So I have to be strategic uh uh on you know when I say something, when I don't, how much I say, how much I don't. You know, most of the times they don't want to hear from their from their parents. And I I I tell them both a lot, you know, I feel like I have the the answer to the test. And you know, I'm trying to give that to you and trying to, you know, help you so you don't make some of the mistakes that I made. And I I think they both do a good job of of listening. And, you know, one of my uh, you know, my brother-in-law, he always said, you know, Jason is listening. He just may not listen the way I want him to listen, but he but he's listening.

SPEAKER_05 8:19

Yeah, I found with uh young men and working with young guys, a lot of lessons that we teach them, they're not necessarily they're necessarily taught. I mean you said, but they're watching. They catch them. And I I think that's that what the brother-in-law is saying is they may not, they may not you may not sit down and taught them something, but they're watching how we handle things. They're watching how we do certain things, you know, and then they catch, ah, that's how I'm supposed to handle that. And I'm sure you've seen some situations where where he's done some things, uh, and you look at it, I told you that, you know, but but but that's how it works. That's how it works, which is a great thing. Uh speaking of that, what was the best advice your father ever gave you? Basketball advice. Let's go basketball advice first.

SPEAKER_01 9:00

That's basketball advice. Um I mean, I'd probably just say just making sure I making sure I work hard right now so I can, so I don't have to work as hard later in life. Like, make sure I get it all, take advantage of everything. He's told me like I don't want to regret not working hard in the moment. And so when I get older, I'll be like, oh, I wish I would have done this. So just working hard in the moment so I don't have any regrets.

SPEAKER_05 9:22

And for the audience, you can't see this, but dad is beaming over there all this stuff. You remember that? And that's so true. That's so true. Uh another question for you just did you ever feel pressured because people knew your father played at Ohio State? Did you ever feel feel pressure? Did you ever feel pressure?

SPEAKER_01 9:44

Um, not really, definitely not in like recent years. Maybe maybe when I like first started kind of growing up, but like I don't feel like I've ever really felt pressured to live up to what he's what he's built, not in the way like that people would think.

SPEAKER_05 9:59

You know, speaking of that, Juice, when when did you realize that your son was creating his own legacy, you know, rather than simply following yours?

SPEAKER_00 10:09

Uh you know, I think you know he's always uh kind of carved out his own path. Uh, you know, he played baseball and was a really good baseball player and he ran cross country. Uh he's uh a really good athlete, but you know, I I think uh you know, really watching him excel at Columbus Academy in the in the classroom is when I realize, okay, he he he he's doing his own thing, he he gets it, you know, he's mature, you know, he's smart, like he's so well-rounded, and and I feel like he sprinted past me, you know.

Favorite Memories And Big Milestones

SPEAKER_05 10:44

You know, what's your uh this is for both of you all, what's your favorite father-son basketball memory together?

SPEAKER_00 10:51

Uh you know, the kids are they're getting older now and they're about to be out the house. Um you know, my favorite moments were you know, taking them up to Ohio State, lowering the rims, and having uh them, you know, shoot baskets and train, you know, me being that their trainer, training in the uh at Ohio State, and you know, just so much uh I'm you I'm teaching them everything and then they're they're learning everything in their sponges and you know it's hard to take those moments back. I mean it just seems like yesterday, but it was it was a while ago.

SPEAKER_01 11:28

Um yeah, that's definitely I'd say one of mine. Like back then, maybe when we go up to like Ohio State and practice, I wouldn't really sometimes I'd be like mad or know what that would go, but like now when I look back and see if there's a couple pictures when we were there, it's like look back and see how cool that was. But um probably some of these like the last two years are state championship runs. He's been at like all the games and stuff, and just seeing him happy for me and like him cheering and stuff.

SPEAKER_05 11:55

Jason, you know, you you accomplished a lot in high school basketball. Which one of those achievements means the most to you and why? You know, you can get 100,000 career points, you know, all state. I think you have McDonald's All-American nomination. Of all that, what achievement means the most to you and why?

SPEAKER_01 12:11

Um definitely back-to-back state championship appearances. Um, why? Because Clemens Academy, we haven't been there since eight 1981. So getting there last year was really big for us, like first time since in 40 years, 40 plus years. So seeing our community kind of build up together and to support us, and then getting back this past year for a second time in a row um was really big.

SPEAKER_05 12:34

Juice, what what accomplishment makes you most proud as a father, not as an athletic director or a basketball person?

SPEAKER_00 12:43

Uh you know, right now I think uh you know, living in Columbus, Ohio, you know, it's Buckeye country, and you know, everyone, you know, recognizes me as a Buckeye, and they say, hey, that's Jason Singleton. You know, now you know I walk through the halls and they say that's Jason Singleton's dad. You know, so he's like the star and the celebrity, and you know, it's it's pretty cool to have a piece of me walking around uh you know this earth doing some amazing things.

SPEAKER_05 13:11

That's good, that's

Why Harvard Fits And Academics First

SPEAKER_05 13:12

good. Uh Junior, what why was Harvard the right fit for you?

SPEAKER_01 13:16

Um I'd say um first my relationship and connection with the coaching staff. I feel like um like throughout the whole coaching staff from Coach Towns, Coach Emmerker, Cochotsky, everybody kind of just poured into me or text me weekly, show up to my games and stuff. So just the connection and trust there, knowing I'd be if I go far away, I would have like another family kind of there. Then also the academics and stuff, which is really big to me and my family. Going to Clums Academy, like my whole life, academics has been huge. So just making sure I carry on and setting myself up for the future.

SPEAKER_05 13:48

Uh Jason Singleton, you know we can we've uh senior, you know we're gonna have to go there now. What what does it mean to see your son not heading to Ohio State, you know, to play basketball, but heading to one of the world's most respected universities? What does that mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 14:04

Uh, you know, I'm so proud of him. I mean, he's uh you know, he's exceeded all expectations. Um we've always wanted him to go to where it's the best fit for him. And you know, we feel like Harvard is is you know the best school in the world. And there's a lot of people who can't get into Harvard. They have the the highest uh rate of acceptance, acceptance rate, and it's uh or the lowest uh acceptance rate, and it's very, very hard and very prestigious. And for him to get in says a lot about him and and who he is, uh and you know we're really proud of him.

SPEAKER_05 14:43

Chase uh junior four, for some young high school guys listening to this, uh how how have you worked academics and athletics and athletics together and reaching reaching your goals? Can you can you share some wisdom with these young guys on how those two work together?

SPEAKER_01 15:00

Um, I mean, yeah, I kind of like to build both of them off of each other. Um I know in the back of my mind, if I I have athletics too, I know I'm gonna have to put in late nights and stuff, so I know I have to get my work done kind of in school or whenever I can. So I feel like basketball has really helped me in the classroom because it makes me have to do my work and make sure I really have to zone in on that. So I'm just saying making sure I like remember to do both. Like I'm a student athlete at the same time, so just making sure I I get what what I needed to get done in the classroom first.

SPEAKER_05 15:28

Good. Classroom first, great. Yeah, that's a good word.

What Passing The Torch Means

SPEAKER_05 15:32

You know, as as we come around the corner a little bit, we began talking about passing this torch and getting this getting that torch to the next generation. Uh senior, what does pass a torch mean to you as a father?

SPEAKER_00 15:44

Uh you know, passing the torch is uh almost like a uh a rite of passage. And I've done pretty much everything I can to try to lay the foundation for him to be successful in life. You know, my job is to teach and educate him and to protect him and to love him. And I feel like I've done that. And now, you know, in a in a in in August, he's gonna be going out into the world on his own. And I feel like he's ready, he he's mature, he's prepared, and um I think you know, we've we definitely passed past the torch.

SPEAKER_05 16:18

You know, Jason, just you prepare for Harvard, what lessons from your father will you carry with you every day?

SPEAKER_01 16:25

I mean, definitely, like I said, just working hard. Um, I'm gonna make sure I work hard in the classroom, work hard um on the court just to get whatever I get the most of out of everything that I can. So I know while I'm down there, I'm gonna be by myself, but just to just to work as hard as I can so I can get the most out of it and prepare myself for the for my future.

SPEAKER_05 16:43

You know, uh Jason, senior, raising raising a young man in today's world is different. You know, when you, as you spoke earlier, we came up, we saw work, we saw that work ethic. You know, what qualities do you believe young men need most in today's world?

SPEAKER_00 16:59

Uh resilience, um, grit. Um, I think those are two things. I mean, you're gonna face some uh some tough situations, you're gonna face some hard times, but uh I also feel like you learn a lot of life lessons, you learn a lot of life lessons through sports, and uh, you know, those you know, two-a-days and you know, uh conditioning and you know, all the things that that that help you in sports is gonna are transferable skills in in life. And you know, I've I tried to be a tough player and a gritty player, and and you know, now it in in the workplace when I'm working and in life, you know, whether I I'm doing yard work or in the office, and I'm gonna give it my all and I'm gonna be tough and gritty, and I think you need that in life. Life is gonna be tough on you, so you you're gonna have to be ready for it.

SPEAKER_05 17:51

Yeah, I'm gonna make sure your wife heard that you do yard work. Don't be up in here. You know, you're on the road all the time. I want to go see this yard work you do. You know, uh Jason

Grit Resilience And Everyday Leadership

SPEAKER_05 18:03

Jr. What do you admire most about your father as a man?

SPEAKER_01 18:07

Yeah, um, just his hardworking abilities. Um, I mean, like I kind of we've both said, just him, just seeing him put in hard work every day, no matter what he does. If it's yard work, shoveling the snow, going to work early in the morning, staying late at night, helping other people get better, just seeing him work hard and put ever put his everything into everything he does.

SPEAKER_05 18:28

You know, senior, we can learn a lot from our children, you know, a whole lot from them. What has your son taught you about leadership and parenting?

SPEAKER_00 18:38

Uh, you know, when I'm uh when I'm around him, I feel like I learned I do learn a lot about myself because like he he's he's me. And you know, he he's quiet and I'm pretty quiet. So sometimes I'm thinking, man, what is he thinking and what's going on in his life and what's going on in his world? And then I have to think to myself, man, people are probably saying the same thing about me. Um so I think just having my double, my my my twin walking around on this earth, I'm able to look at him and learn more about myself. And and I've I've I learned so much about myself just when I'm you know talking to him. Um and it's it's just it's almost kind of scary, you know, you know, seeing someone who looks like me, someone the same size, someone who's uh almost as athletic as me. Uh almost it's it's it's it's crazy. I really do learn a lot about myself.

SPEAKER_05 19:31

That's good. Speaking of this athletic piece, who's the best athlete in the family? Or you guys played one. When when did you when did you actually beat your dad? When was the first time you beat your dad?

SPEAKER_01 19:40

He's too scary to play me. I've been playing him since I was like nine years old.

SPEAKER_05 19:43

So he don't want to get out there no more. That's a good question. Because you know, he's never he's never beaten me before. You know, uh Junior, when you eventually become a father, what parenting lessons would you want to carry forward?

SPEAKER_01 20:01

Um yeah, going back to hard just hard work and resilience. I mean, just want to make sure I have my kids work hard and everything that they do, no matter if it's if they don't want to play sports, if if it's in sports or whatever they do, work hard and then also um like trust in your family and and support your family.

SPEAKER_05 20:17

You know, as we as we think about this particular um chapter of the singleton family life, you know, with you and your wife and your two children, uh, how do you hope future generations of the singleton family will remember this part of the this part of your guys' story?

Sacrifice That Future Generations Feel

SPEAKER_00 20:33

Yeah, I hope that you know our my great-great-great-grandchildren know who I am and know the sacrifices that that we that we put in for our kids. You know, lots of time, lots of miles on the car, uh lots of uh financial pains, um, but we did it all for those generations, you know, and a lot of the things I'm doing, doing for his kids. So, you know, now his chance his kids have a chance to get into Harvard. Uh, you know, my mom sh she wasn't able to get into Ohio State, but I was. And she she she did that for me and she sacrificed for me, and I saw that. So now I did everything I can could to sacrifice for him. So I'm hoping that he sees that he has to do the same for his grandkids. And and then that would just be a snowball effect, and hopefully we've set our uh the singleton family up for you know forever.

SPEAKER_05 21:36

Junior, when you when you look back at this uh future generations, look back at your time at Oh your your time at Columbus Academy and all that. What what what do you want to remember about this chapter?

SPEAKER_01 21:47

I mean, this specific chapter, I mean, just getting ready, like I said, um trying to get ready for college and make sure I can get get the most out of college on the court and academically so I can set myself up for my own future, then for my kids' future. Then I have to keep going on from there.

SPEAKER_05 22:02

Junior, I don't want to let this one go yet. Talk about the relationship between you and your sisters. Is it competitive over there? What's the deal? Because she's a pretty good athlete too, though.

SPEAKER_01 22:10

Yeah, it's pretty competitive, but like between us two, we don't really we're not really competitive that much over sports. Like we're super supportive of each other. Like she just got first team All State for lacrosse and stuff. She just finished her lacrosse season. So CBL player of the year and everything. So we're super supportive of each other. We know how good each other are as athletes. But I mean, we all we joke about how, like, oh, I'm a better athlete than you, but we're super supportive of each other.

SPEAKER_05 22:34

Good stuff.

Rapid Fire On Leadership And Legacy

SPEAKER_05 22:35

All right. Here comes the rapid fire time. Now, all in this rapid fire time, I'm gonna ask a question, and I just need one word that just one word answer. Just one word answer. I don't need a long Columbus Academy dissertation. You know, not a Harvard PhD story. Just one word. Just one word, I'll give you a couple words. Let's start with Senior first. Uh best lesson basketball has taught you.

SPEAKER_00 22:57

Use a phrase.

SPEAKER_05 22:58

Yeah, use a phrase. I'll take it.

SPEAKER_00 23:00

Use basketball. Don't let basketball use you.

SPEAKER_05 23:02

I know where that one's from. First team basketball. Good stuff. That's good. That's good. Junior, give me a word that describes your dad.

SPEAKER_01 23:11

I mean, I've said it, I feel like a lot, but hard working. Hard work. Hard work.

SPEAKER_05 23:16

Uh, senior and junior for both of you guys. What is your favorite family tradition? We can agree. Movie night. Movie night. That's it. Well, what's been the latest movie? What's been the last movie that we've agreed on? Michael Jackson movies. That's it. Got to be. Got to be Michael. Got to be Michael. What's your favorite friend when y'all get agree?

SPEAKER_01 23:38

Um, probably that. We've watched a lot of movies over the past couple years, starting probably like COVID. During COVID, we watched a lot of movies, but we try to watch a decent amount of movies when we're all together and not too busy.

SPEAKER_05 23:49

Right. Junior, what is your most memorable game? Take me to that most memorable game.

SPEAKER_01 23:55

I mean, maybe right now, I don't know about a single game, but like there was a lot of memorable games this playoff run last year, from that Harvest Prep game to Afrocentric Margaretta. There are some memorable games. Those three say they're really memorable. Good, good.

SPEAKER_05 24:09

Uh senior, what's what would you say is the most important leadership quality?

SPEAKER_00 24:15

I think understanding when to lead and when to follow. Even as a leader, sometimes you gotta follow.

SPEAKER_05 24:22

Good. Junior, Harvard in one word. Just one word.

SPEAKER_01 24:26

Harvard? The best.

SPEAKER_05 24:29

Good. The best. Best. Uh Junior, we'll give you this one. What's your biggest dream beyond basketball?

SPEAKER_01 24:37

Um, I'd say just have uh a loving family, um, a family like a real support system, something I can build off of. Just a family that I can call mine. Good.

SPEAKER_05 24:47

And the last one for you, Senior, just a legacy in one word. Um I'm sorry, not in one word, in one sentence. In one sentence. What's legacy in one sentence?

SPEAKER_00 24:56

Uh I would say that it's uh fulfilling all the dreams that I've had. You know, we are the dream of dreamers. So, you know, my grandfather and great-great-grandfather, you know, they were slaves and they uh they worked so hard for us to be able to go to a a school like Columbus Academy or Ohio State or Harvard. And, you know, I want to you know pay it forward and I want to be able to do the same, open up even more doors for for for generations to come.

SPEAKER_05 25:28

That's good.

Serving Beyond Basketball With A Camp

SPEAKER_05 25:29

Junior, I I've noticed that you've um started a foundation. I can think about working on some things. I say you're doing a basketball uh camp. Um what kind of legacy do you hope you're building that goes beyond basketball?

SPEAKER_01 25:42

Yeah, I mean, I just want to give kids like an opportunity. Like we're having you said our free free youth basketball camp. Just give kids, I mean, so we're also doing a giveaway. So give them a couple hours just to come get better, play basketball, get some some school supplies. So just helping helping kids out in the community.

SPEAKER_05 26:00

I think what your dad was saying about that legacy, about that opportunity that we have, you know, to to be a blessing, to be a blessing. And we know that that that God has blessed us with this blessing to be able to bless others. You know, the gifts and talents he's given us are not really for us, you know, they're for someone else. They're there for others, you know. And we look back, I know you shared about your mom, you know, and the sacrifice and and those memories of your grandfather. You mentioned your grandfather a couple of times. Can you get give me a memory from your from your from your granddad that he may not know?

SPEAKER_00 26:28

Uh, you know, my grandfather, he uh, you know, he pretty much, you know, raised me uh, you know, as a he's a grandfather, but he's more like a like a father. And um you know, he he taught me how to drive a car. He uh he did a lot of things around the house. Like he was just that visible man. Um and I always say you can't be what you can't see. So, you know, just seeing a a good man, you know, you know, somebody who's you know a loyal husband, somebody who is a good father, you know, someone who's a good grandfather, a good brother, like he just was just a good person. And you know, he was he was loving and uh you know wanted me to have the world, but he also you know what was you know was tough and and would let you know what not to do and that the world could be you know a dangerous, scary place. Um so I you know I think you know looking at him and my mom, you know, that they're both like super superheroes.

Advice To Your Younger Self

SPEAKER_05 27:34

Uh Junior, as we come around the corner as we wrap up, what would you you you're on your way to Harvard now, you graduate from high school. Let's look back. What would you tell your younger self?

SPEAKER_01 27:44

Um, just to stay the course. Um I mean, growing up, it could have been kind of easy to kind of just to give up. I wasn't kind of like the highest ranked player or didn't have a lot of the attention that a lot of I looked around, a lot of other people have to just stay the course and keep working hard so I can get to where I want to be.

SPEAKER_05 28:01

Uh senior, this is your younger self. So what what what would you tell your that is your younger self, what would you tell your younger self going into college? When you came, when you came to Ohio State or whatnot, now he's going to Harvard, going to college. What would you tell your younger self?

SPEAKER_00 28:17

Uh be true to yourself. Um you're surrounded by people who are are going places, and uh there's gonna be a lot of hangar owners, and there's gonna be people who uh are are gonna try to bring you down, but you wanna be surrounded by people who are going up and people who are doing doing positive things. Um and don't be afraid to be to be a leader.

SPEAKER_05 28:42

That's good. That's good. Well, you guys have really blessed us today. Um part of this series I'm doing is I I think it's important that we showcase fathers and sons, or just just men during this fatherhood month. Because you and I know as dads, all we're gonna get is a pair of socks, you know. You know, the mother, Mother's Day, the restaurants is packed. You can't even get in there. We can walk in anywhere on June 21. You know, we ain't we don't need a reservation, you know. But I think it's important that uh uh, first off, that your son sees a man. See some, like I said, being what he can't see, seeing someone who's worked hard and who's put who sacrificed so much, you know, for them to be in that position. But the blessing is that they your children followed the plan. You know, they followed the plan. And it wasn't always easy for them, I'm sure. You know, there's some times with dad, why are we doing this? You know, I want, you know, my kids are playing video games or whatever, you know, why I gotta go do it. But they followed the plan. And it's not over yet. It's not over yet. There's greater things. You know, one gener what one generation does, another one's gonna do in excess, you know. Dad came from Detroit, played Ohio State, did well overseas, and now the next generation is going to Harvard. Your daughter's going to Howard, I believe, you know, all state. You know, just the whole that that's that's that's how just think what the think what your grandkids are gonna do, you know. Yeah, you know, but that's what this is all about. That's why we do what we do as fathers, you know. It's not about us, it's about because someone did it for us. You talked about your grandfather. There were some men in our lives, you know, who supported us in this. So I want to thank you both for being a part of this. And and I want to continue, I want persons to know that these are men who believe in the Lord, who know that God has been good, that God has blessed us. And so I want to thank you all for joining us for this special Fatherhood Month episode of Beard Baller Podcast. Today, Jason Sr. and Jason Jr. reminded us that the greatest victories in life aren't measured by points scored, championships won, or scholarships earned. They're measured by character, by being men of integrity. They're measured by relationships, they're measured by service to others. But most importantly, they're measured by values passed from one generation to the next. That's what generational legacy passing the torch is all about. So until next time, keep pursuing excellence, keep investing in others, and keep building a legacy that lasts. This is the Beer Baller Podcast, where we celebrate families who are making a difference and building a lifelong legacy. So I'm I'm so excited for your future, but I'm I'm even more excited for uh mom and dad. So once y'all get out the house, they can get their house back. They can get their life back. But it's been good, and I want to thank you all being a part of the show. Happy Father's Day.

Sponsor Tip And Final Charge

SPEAKER_05 31:27

Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 31:27

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SPEAKER_03 32:00

Thank you for spending time with us here on Be A Baller Podcast. Remember, legacy isn't built by accident. It's built through daily choices, faithful obedience, and intentional impact. If today's conversation encouraged you, challenged you, or spoke to your heart, share this episode with a friend, a teammate, a leader, or someone who's ready to live with purpose. That simple act of sharing helps us grow the movement and spread legacy-minded living. We want to invite you to join the legacy movement. This is more than a podcast, it's a call to action. And one of the best ways to go deeper is by grabbing your copy of the book Living a Legacy. It's a powerful resource designed to help you apply what you're hearing and start building something that truly lasts. Until next time, keep showing up, keep pouring into others, and keep building a legacy worth following. Thanks for listening. And remember, be a baller. Live on purpose. Leave a legacy.