Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Family First

This may seem like false modesty, but it isn’t intended to be. I am happy my teams at UCLA and elsewhere did well and we earned a measure of recognition. But all of that is nothing compared to my family: Nellie, our two children, our seven grandchildren, and all ten of our great-grandchildren. All that love is immeasurable.

My great-granddaughter, Cori, asked me the other day, “Papa, how much longer are you going to live?” I had to chuckle because when you’re my age, people tend to be a little more diplomatic with questions like that.

“Cori, dear,” I said, “why do you ask me that?”

“Because I will be able to drive a car in six more years and I want you to teach me how, Papa.”

I thought, “What an honor she has given me.”

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