Dejiunte Murray, an NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs, had a difficult childhood. Some may be surprised to learn the athlete’s backstory, as he had never imagined himself in sports since he was a child.

He was 11 years old when he first became acquainted with street life. From a young age, he was exposed to drugs and crime. Everyone on the street knew him by his given name.

When he was a child, his mother was frequently in and out of prison. Child Protective Services attempted to intervene several times to place him in a more stable family.

He had no idea when he would be able to eat. So he moved from apartment to apartment and hotel to hotel. At any given time, he’d have to share a room with his cousins, uncles, aunts, and sister.

His family was heavily involved in gangs and criminal activity. Thus, according to FoxTv, he knew what drugs were when he was four or five years old. 

His tough upbringing and the experience had deep-rooted inside him in such a way that once, he was afraid to have his child. When his daughter was finally born, he shared that he fainted for a few seconds.

Dejounte Murray had spoken about his tough upbringing, gang affiliation, and a change that led him to the part of NBA. during an interview. He claimed that he spent three or four years in juvenile detention centers.

And, he felt that there was no way out. He would be overwhelmed when he looked out the window of his Rainier Beach High School classroom window as a freshman.

He would see murder happening in the streets and would hear the siren of the ambulance. He was exposed to street fights, substance use, and crime from a young age. 

His family members were involved in gangs and crime, giving him the impression that he would succumb to it as well. However, one good decision changed his life forever.

He moved in with his uncle when he was 16 years old. Murray observed him going to work every day and working hard. It caused him to take a more positive path. As a result, he stopped smoking marijuana and focused on practicing and playing basketball.

Dejounte Murray has previously been arrested and spent some time in a Juvenile Detention Center. He was in middle school at that time. 

It was because he became a victim of his family’s involvement in crime, gangs, and drugs. Unfortunately, he was raised in such an environment, which eventually involved him in those activities.