From D2 to the NBA - Brodrick Thomas

Brodrick Thomas has a cool story of how hard work, overcoming adversity, and some luck and blessings can help you reach your dreams. He signed to Division 2 Truman State as an undersized guard, and he had to leave the program after his freshman year because of declining grades.

He went to Southwestern Community College for a year, where he helped lead them to an undefeated season and a JUCO national championship. This is also where he grew 4 inches.

"At first it was frustrating, not living up to what I know I could have been here academically," Thomas told the Daily Express. "It was frustrating, but when I look back on it, it was big for me because it made me learn what it takes to lead a team, to take a team where it hasn't gone. It was a defining moment and step in my career."

Brodrick bounced back, returned to Truman as a leader of the team. He broke scoring records while there, and he impressed his coaches and teammates with his game, his maturity, and his leadership. He became better because of his circumstance.

We all get a few defining moments that will help shape our careers. For Michael Jordan, it was hitting the game-winner as a freshman at North Carolina. For Steph Curry, it was overcoming ankle injuries early in his career. For Coach K, it was overcoming a few rough years at the start of his Duke career, signing a signature class in the early 80s, and turning it around.

Manage those moments well. Learn from them. Grow from them. Become better because of them.