By admin 
Patrick Beverley had to go from Chicago to Arkansas to attend college. It was a journey that changed him not only as a basketball player but also as an individual.
Born and raised in West Garfield on the West Side of the Windy City, Beverley split time between Waubonsie Valley High School and John Marshall Metropolitan High School, becoming a local star after averaging 37.3 points in his senior year to lead the state and win co-player of the year in 2006.
He then chose to play collegiate ball at the University of Arkansas, where he stayed for two years until academic issues forced him to decide to turn professional and try his luck in Europe.
Becoming a father
The move to Arkansas opened the eyes of the 6’2″ guard to many new things, not only in handling basketball-related stuff but also about life in general, including dealing with women.
He candidly talked about it on the “Out The Mud Podcast,” hosted by former NBA players Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, sharing how, among the culture shocks he experienced after moving to Arkansas, was how different the women were from those back home in Chicago.
The experience eventually led him to become a father while he was still a collegiate student.
“It was different off the rip. I had two kids. It’s my first time I’ve seen a girl in heels. Girls in Chicago got on Js (Jordans), right? So, I get to college. Girls in sandals. I see girls in heels all year. It’s up. And I’m freshman of the year. I’m having my way [with women],” Beverley
“So, then I had to grow up fast. You know what I’m saying? I had to grow up fast. I got kids. I got to find a way to take care of children and stuff like that. So, now I got to grow up fast, which was cool, but it just forced me to grow up faster than I wanted to at the time,” he added.
After suiting up for the Razorbacks, where he had career averages of 13.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals, he played a few years in Europe, where he further honed his skills. Then in 2013, after being drafted in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2009 NBA Draft, he got to play in the NBA.
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Beverley played five seasons with the Houston Rockets, becoming a good defensive player, highlighted by a spot in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2017. He then was part of the Los Angeles Clippers for four years before splitting the next three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks.
The now 38-year-old veteran last played in the NBA in 2024 and is now playing in Europe while remaining active on social media.
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Making something out of his life
While the move to Arkansas led Beverley to face bigger responsibilities as a father, it also opened a path for him to be a professional athlete, which ultimately helped him make something out of his life.
“I probably would’ve been the best drug dealer in the world,” Beverley shared had he not ended up playing professional sports.
Change is the only constant in life and in Beverley’s case, the shift in location turned out generally well for him, helping shape the man he is today and the person he continues to become.
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