Patty Mills

We're not America. We are our own country, and we have our own issues.

If there's something I believe is right, I back myself.

I'm deeply connected to both sides of my family in ways that I'm not sure I can get across, in ways that many people will never understand.

To continue my efforts as a leader for my people and to follow my family's legacy of providing legitimate opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through my sport of basketball is the true outcome of my personal success and accomplishments.

That's an exciting feeling to know when you walk in the gym, or in the weight room, it's for a championship.

I realize how rare it is for someone like me to reach this level. So I'm using my stature in basketball to help other people. I'm more than happy to do it.

It's about finding the chemistry on the court and where you can get to your spots and where you can find open ones.

Learning about our past is definitely important, not only for Australians but people around the world. It's something that Australia should never be ashamed of. It's part of our history. It's part of us.

Basketball as a sport has brought me happiness, joy, education and a real sense of purpose.

Australia is a great country. America is a great country. We all have issues and different aspects.

I had a roommate who refused to believe that there were black people from Australia and that I just had this accent. I got frustrated. I'm saying, 'mate, you've never heard of Aboriginals?' And he definitely never heard of the Torres Strait Islands.

Being Australian is a lot more than saying 'g'day mate' and 'throw a shrimp on the Barbie.'

People talk about the Spurs and how we do a decent job at playing basketball. But there is a deeper meaning to who we are, where we come from, and at the same time, why we play basketball.

Playing basketball is fun, and I love it and I enjoy it every day.

I think an all-around type of mentality is the thing that I have tried to have always. I am not too happy with myself when I start to float around and just be out there.

Having the trust and respect from your teammate is where it starts and that is getting to know guys off the court, even before basketball.

If you take control of yourself and you make the right cut or the right screen, then something good will come out of it.

I'll always say this: my name is Patrick Mills, I'm a Kokatha man from South Australia, and I'm a Naghiralgal and Dauareb-Meriam man of the Torres Strait Islands.

When something happens - good, bad or ugly - you find a way to be able to do your part for your community. How do you better the lives of Indigenous people, how do you give back to the land, how do you stay connected? All of this is the same question.

Giving back to your community - we've done that forever, that's nothing new.