Today Chris "The Birdman" Andersen, NBA star of the Denver Nuggets arrived in Belize on a goodwill visit. He isn't in Belize to play ball but more so to give a message to young students and his first stop today was at the Stella Marris School - and Andrea Polanco stretched her hand as far as she could to speak to the 6-11 power forward for the Denver Nuggets:
Chris "Birdman" Anderson, NBA Star (Denver Nuggets)
"I grew up in a small town in Texas and I didn't have much money growing up and I had to fight for everything I have. With that said I had negative people telling me all the time that I wasn't going to do nothing and I am not going to succeed in anything. I just want to tell you all that in this situation no matter the situation that you are in if you are poor, if you have disability or you your are sick; it doesn't matter, if you just put your mind to it and you set your goals and dreams high you can accomplish these dreams and these goals, no matter what people tell you, no matter what friends tell you, you can always accomplish these things."
Andrea Polanco
"What do you hope to achieve thru this goodwill visit?"
Chris "Birdman" Anderson, NBA Star (Denver Nuggets)
"I just want to share my position that I am in being a professional athlete. Growing up as a kid, I grew up in a children's home and I never really had that kind of inspiration so I told myself whenever I got to accomplish my dreams and goals and stuff that I would give back just as much as I could in the position that I am in."
Andrea Polanco
"What kind of advice can you give these young people who are very vulnerable to crime here in Belize City?"
Chris "Birdman" Anderson, NBA Star (Denver Nuggets)
"Basically never be afraid to ask for help and never be afraid to ask questions. Like I said before I never really had that leadership where I could ask questions, I never had anybody I can turn to. Turn to your friends; ask you friends, if your friends are offering you drugs, if they are offering drugs then they are not your true friends. Stay away from the crime and focus on school and focus on your dreams and accomplish your goals and your dreams and you will have a successful and meaningful life."
Reporter
"So far how do you enjoy your welcome here at Stella Maris?"
Chris "Birdman" Anderson, NBA Star (Denver Nuggets)
"I love it, the kids are great. I love hanging out with kids and giving them an opportunity to touch an NBA player and be around an athlete like myself. Just to give back and to see their expressions on their face and knowing that I actually inspire them a little bit. Just telling them my stories is great enough to get out there to let them hear it."
Andrea Polanco
"So can Belize look forward to seeing you here again?"
Chris "Birdman" Anderson, NBA Star (Denver Nuggets)
"Of course I am always destine to hit the spot I went to same time twice, so I like it here and its hot but I grew up in Texas and its hot there too so I mean its good to come back down and do this again hopeful next time when I come back I will be able to play a little bit of basketball with these guys."
The Belize Basketball Federation and Belize Natural Energy teamed up to bring "The Birdman" to Belize for a two day during which he will be visiting students from Belize City, Belmopan and San Ignacio. "The Birdman" who is recovering from a knee surgery will be starting a late season with the Denver Nuggets but he told us that we can expect to see him playing even harder on the court. Last year his Denver nugget team-mate and starting power forward Kenyon Martin visited Belize as well…..
