Photo:ABC11/ Youtube; Greg Fiume/Getty
ABC11/ Youtube; Greg Fiume/Getty
DJ Horneis one of the standout players on theNC State Wolfpack men’s basketball teamthis season, and no one is more proud of him than his parents, Tivona and Lamar.
Originally from the Raleigh, N.C. area, the point guard started his career at Illinois State, where he played basketball for the school for two seasons before transferring back to Arizona State for his junior and senior years.
As fate would have it, he eventually found his way back home, using his last year of eligibility to play for the NC State Wolfpack, where he has helped the team go to the Final Four inMarch Madness.
Here’s everything to know about Horne’s parents.
They raised DJ just outside of Raleigh, where NC State is based
DJ Horne playing basketball.Greg Fiume/Getty
Greg Fiume/Getty
Horne was originally born in Raleigh, where NC State is located, but was raised just outside of the university in Cary, N.C.
Growing up in the area, he developed a love for basketball pretty early on, recalling to the NC State men’s basketball X account how “basketball started to get very real” for him when he started playing at JD Lewis Multipurpose Center in Raleigh, noting it’s where he got some of his first dunks.
They encouraged him as he pursued his basketball dreams
As Horne’s love for basketball developed, he began to put his all into practicing and making a name for himself. However, as he approached his senior year of high school with no offers from colleges, he began to get discouraged.
“He was experiencing some self-doubt, like he wasn’t that good of a player that he couldn’t garner the interest of colleges,“his father told WRALSportsFan.
“He was like, ‘Dad, I tried. I’m sorry.’ He was like apologizing,” Lamar recalled to the NC State men’s basketball X account. “I said DJ, you have nothing to apologize for, son.'”
Horne added that it was his father’s support that helped him push through: “He was just always making sure that I wasn’t being too down on myself, even though it was a discouraging process.”
Thankfully, he got an offer from Illinois State, where he played his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to Arizona State for his junior and senior years and eventually using his last year of eligibility to play for NC State.
His dad works for Verizon
DJ and Lamar Horne.Inside Verizon/ Instagram
Inside Verizon/ Instagram
According toThe Arizona Republic, Horne’s mother works at a local school, while his father has been a network engineer at Verizon for the past 23 years. In March, the company shouted out Lamar as his son and the Wolfpack advanced in March Madness.
His parents purchased an RV to travel to see his games
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both his parents were able to work remotely while their younger son was able to do his high school classes online, allowing them to travel around the country to cheer their son on.
They’re NC State fans, obviously
DJ Horne playing in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.Patrick Smith/Getty
Patrick Smith/Getty
It’s clear that Horne’s parents have a love for NC State as they are always proudly sporting Wolfpack gear during interviews.
“Having DJ back home in Raleigh, playing for NC State, is truly a dream come true,” Lamar told the NC State Men’s Basketball X account. “It’s a blessing to see him out there at PNC Arena.”
They’re incredibly proud of him
Amid March Madness, both Tivona and Lamar have gushed about how proud they are of their son and his incredible journey as a collegiate athlete. “It’s pretty big. This is what he’s worked for all this time,“Tivona told ABC11.
“To see him achieve this level of success to get a championship for NC State, come on. I mean, 37 years?” Lamar added, with Tivona quipping, “I don’t think it’s quite hit me yet, I haven’t slept really for two days. I’m just happy for DJ.”
source: people.com
