HOUSTON – Jarred Vanderbilt has carved out a solid career in the NBA, playing for multiple playoff teams across his six seasons. His contributions to winning basketball earned him a multi-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, even with all of his success on the west coast, the Houston native still finds time to give back to the community he was raised in.
KPRC 2′s Ari Alexander sat down with Vanderbilt ahead of the Jarred Vanderbilt Foundation’s fourth annual backpack giveaway.
Ari: “Jared, this is year four, giving back to the community here in Houston with your backpack giveaway. Tell me about what’s different this year. I know every year you guys keep adding to it. What do you like about the way it’s coming together?”
Jarred: “I feel like each and every year we’ve got better. We’ve added more; we’ve elevated. I think this particular year hits a little different, due to some of the events that we’ve had for the city of Houston, as far as, you know, the Hurricane, and Beryl and stuff like that. So, I think this is a good opportunity to help families out that was affected by, you know, those tragedies. So, I think it just, you know, hits a little different this year when you can actually, you know, be here and help the community firsthand.”
Ari: “You spend several hours every year at this event talking to the kids, giving them supplies. When you leave that event every year, what’s your favorite part of interacting with the people that come to the backpack giveaway?”
Jarred: “My favorite part is just seeing the impact that I made. You know, seeing, not only the kids, but the family members that are, you know, having smiles in their face, because I know some parents are kind of sometimes—worried about, you know, where they’re going to get supplies and groceries and stuff for [their families]. So, for us to have that this platform and give that opportunity to make sure every kid, you know, goes to school with supplies and groceries and food and stuff like that. So, it’s always a fulfilling moment for me just to see the smiles on their faces.”
Ari: ″Why is that something that’s been important to you over the years?”
Jarred: “It’s always been important to me, you know, just giving back. I think I’m blessed to be in this position and, you know, come and where I come from to see these guys. I know it is, you know, like, sometimes not to go to school with certain supplies and stuff like that or the parents worrying about it. So just to try to take some of that off their plate and just trying to, you know, just be an active in the community.”
Ari: “You’re coming back from international trip. You got to see some of your, your Laker teammates. What’s it like seeing LeBron [and] AD compete in the Olympics for Team USA?”
Jarred: “It’s dope, you know, obviously anytime you get a chance to see greatness and, you know, me being able to play with those guys on a regular basis, but seeing them play against, you know, the best players in the world and different countries on that stage, you know, it was amazing. It was a dope experience.”
Ari: “So you’re coming off of a season, I know [it was] kind of frustrating with the foot injury. What has it been like just working your way back and what are you looking forward to this upcoming season?”,
Jarred: “I’m excited about this season. You know, I think it will be a great one for us. You know, wishing for hopefully a healthy season. So, I think when all of our guys are back and, I feel like we’ll make a great push this year. So, I’m super excited.”
Ari: ”You know, it’s been a little bit of a different offseason than years past. But what have you been able to do, in terms of working on your game, and just kind of learning about how you can improve on the Lakers?”
Jarred: “Just continue to expand my game, you know, work on a little bit of everything. And most importantly is health this season. Due to some of the lack of games I played, due to health in the past or last season. So, my main focus is getting my body right, getting healthy, and just being available for the team.”
Ari: “When you come back to Houston every year, what what’s special about this city? I know you grew up here, but every time that you’re back after a long stretch away, what makes it special to come home?”
Jarred: “It’s special because, like you said, it’s home. You know, this is where everything started. This is, you know, my community, my people, my family still lives here in the city of Houston. So, like I said, it’s just it’s just it’s just another motivation. Every time I come back, it gives me, you know, a sense of, like, you know, to want to go harder, to knowing where I came from and where I started from, and to where I’m at now. I’m super grateful. And, you know, I’m just blessed to be in this position.”
Ari: “You’re used to the attention that comes with being on the Lakers. There’s now a renewed sense of that with Bronny on the team. What does that been like for the first couple months of just the extra attention that the Lakers get on top of the always attention?”
Jarred: “I mean, it’s exciting. You know, obviously anytime you make history, I think it’s exciting. And, you know, having both those guys on the roster, like I said, I just think it’s going to be an exciting and a great year. Obviously, a lot of more eyes and, you know, attention will be on it. But, you know, that’s what we live for as well. We play for us. So, like I said, it’s going to be a great year top to bottom. And you know I’m excited.”