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Mavs rookie Dereck Lively shares a room with his mother Kathy Drysdale; a touching relationship between mother and son.

Drysdale’s emotional support is incredibly meaningful, particularly considering the hardships they’ve endured as a family.

Lively faced the tragic loss of his father to a heroin overdose in 2012, leaving Drysdale to shoulder various responsibilities for her son.

In 2014, Drysdale was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy, adding another layer of challenge to their lives.

“Just having someone to talk to at any time, day or night, being able to enjoy home-cooked meals, having my mom there to support me in every way,” Lively expressed.

“Whether it’s doing my laundry or helping me stay focused, I’m just grateful for her presence and the joy she finds in life.”

Lively was determined to make his mother proud, and his basketball skills earned him a scholarship at Duke University. Thankfully, Drysdale went into remission before Lively’s freshman year.

In a recent interview with WFAA’s Jonah Javad, Lively opened up about his father’s passing, his mother’s cancer journey, and the influence of former Maverick center Tyson Chandler.

Drafted by the Mavericks, Lively’s rookie season has been remarkable, showcasing impressive averages of 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and notable defensive prowess.

However, a nasal fracture sustained during a game against the Orlando Magic has put him on the sidelines indefinitely. The Mavericks heavily rely on Lively, boasting a 22-14 record with him playing and a 9-9 record without him. Though they acquired frontcourt support during the trade deadline, they eagerly await his return.

Selected as the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lively has become the Mavericks’ starting center, playing 35 out of 37 games this season, despite missing seven games due to injury.

Despite facing personal tragedies, Lively has thrived in his basketball career, leading the Mavericks in blocked shots and potentially set to lead the NBA in field goal percentage as a rookie. In his return from injury, he displayed his resilience with an impressive performance off the bench.

Lively’s journey exemplifies his strong bond with his mother and his ability to overcome adversity in pursuit of a successful NBA career. Fans have been inspired by his story and express their support.