While many basketball players aspire to make it to the NBA, Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges has a different dream in mind.
"My other dream was being a second grade teacher," the small forward shared with CBS News. "I think just helping kids has always been a big thing of mine."
When asked why second grade specifically, Bridges explained, "Because I loved second grade when I was young. I feel like that was one of the years I really remember. Just having a great year. I had a great teacher named Ms. Porter and I always loved second grade."
Having grown up in Philadelphia, Bridges was inspired by Ms. Porter to pursue this dream. He recently had the opportunity to fulfill it at PS 134 in Brooklyn, where he spent a day working as a teacher.
Despite the Nets arriving back late at 1:30 a.m. after a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bridges remained dedicated to his teaching commitment.
"Their energy was just like, what got me going so fast. They got me excited," Bridges shared about the students he taught.
His day began with a game of basketball in the gym, playing with fourth graders. Standing tall at 6'6'', this NBA player, drafted in 2018, organized a fun game of knockout for the kids and took the time to answer their curious questions.
One student posed a question that caught him off guard: "How do you balance your personal life with your professional life?"
"That's a great question," he replied. "It's actually not that difficult. I believe the key is time management. During the season, I have limited free time due to constant traveling. However, after being in the league for six years, I've learned to strike a good balance between spending time with friends, unwinding, and preparing for the games."
The next question was about his family attending his games and whether they receive complimentary tickets. His response was a simple "Yes."
Another student inquired, "If you wanted to be a teacher, why did you choose basketball instead?"
"Basketball was my passion. However, basketball careers have a limited duration," he explained. "This is just the beginning of my journey, and I do see teaching in my future. I'm aiming to pursue both paths."
Following gym class, he participated in a first-grade music lesson. Recalling the experience, he shared, "They were attempting to teach me how to play the xylophone. I was completely lost... I couldn't understand what the teacher was demonstrating." He chuckled, "The student beside me started pointing at the board, signaling me to follow the notes. That's when it clicked for me."
During a recent visit to a local elementary school, Mr. Bridges, an NBA star, found himself in a different role - that of a temporary teacher. Many of the kids took the chance to share their love for basketball with him, marveling at his height and even asking for hugs during recess.
At lunchtime, Mr. Bridges entertained the first graders with riddles before heading to his favorite subject - math. Reflecting on his own school days, he shared, "Math came easy to me. I feel like I was probably one of the smartest math kids in our class," mentioning how he used to help his peers understand concepts by offering different perspectives.
The students were captivated by their temporary teacher, Mr. Bridges. While meeting an NBA star was a dream come true for them, Mr. Bridges felt fulfilled by the experience of teaching these young minds.
"A lot of days, we're in school," he shared, emphasizing the role of teachers in shaping young individuals. Expressing his admiration for educators, he revealed his aspiration to pursue a career in teaching or even become a principal after his NBA journey.
"They help us become better people every day. And I think some are overlooked a little bit," Mr. Bridges concluded, highlighting the impact teachers have on students' lives.
