SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has positively impacted the lives of many who have been fortunate enough to spend time with him.
And some even pass on lessons learned from the long-time head coach to their kids.
From 1995-99, ex-Spurs center Will Perdue played for Popovich and helped the team win the franchise's first NBA title in 1999.
And though it has been years since he last played in San Antonio, the teachings he received from Popovich still resonate with him and now his son.
Responding to a survey by The Athletic where Popovich was picked as the coach players want to play for, Perdue added his thoughts.
"I felt like he looked at me as a person, not just a basketball player," Perdue tweeted. "The things I learned from Pop, especially those related to life, I’ve tried to pass along to my son over the last 18 years."
Popovich preaches that there are bigger things than basketball and his lessons to current and past players reflect that.
RELATED: Spurs' Popovich named co-recipient of the 2021 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award
Former Spurs guard Patty Mills summed it up best when he was asked about what he learned for Popovich when he joined the Nets.
"That there's a life out there that's much bigger than basketball," Mills said. "There wasn't one day that went by that that we didn't learn one fact about the world and what was going on in the world."
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5