Philip Austin Brooks aka ‘Phil’ is a US born African American pro athlete. The ex basketball player was born in Texas on September 07, 1984. He retired from competitive sports in 2017 and became an entrepreneur. In his bid to harness the effects of cultural diversity, and how it affects children, Brooks founded “Butterflies Learning Centers” where children are taught and learn in a fun-filled environment. The center aims to create a safe learning environment for kids and to bring racial equality in a diversified cultural atmosphere to develop children for today’s world.

Our correspondent recently had a chat with him about the struggles, inspiration and mental health challenges of being a retired professional athlete, role model and philanthropist.

What is your name?

My name is Philip Austin Brooks, but most people know me as “Phil”

Who is Philip Austin Brooks? What makes you tick and what do you do?

I’m a former professional basketball player overseas and now one of the top entrepreneurs in Dallas Texas. It was very big to people in my city or in the USA when I signed my pro contract to play basketball overseas but it was even bigger when I came back and started a daycare and shortly after that opening location after location.

Why did you choose a career in sports and basketball in particular?

I have always been active as a kid and I realized at an early age that I was good at basketball, it was what God blessed me with, so I took advantage of it.

What is it about basketball and sports in general that made you choose it as a career?

It was something I was good at when I was smaller and I just took advantage of the opportunity by making a career albeit a successful one out of it.

When did you play in your first competitive event? How did you feel at your first win in a competitive event?

My first competitive event was when I was 5 years old at the YMCA basketball game in 1989. It felt great. I loved the game of basketball.

What motivated you to venture into child education and philanthropy? Who are your role models?

When my wife and I came back to the USA and started a life after my retirement, she started working at a childcare as a teacher. Then we had our 1st child out of 3 children. Shortly after that my wife returned back to work with our newborn (Ariel). My wife and I could only take Ariel being separated from my wife at work for 2 days, so I told my wife to quit and come home. During this time we were discussing opening up our own childcare so she can be with Ariel our daughter all day if needed. Shortly after that we found a building and started negotiating with the seller of the building. My role models would be my parents.

Previously parents didn’t allow their kids to play sports professionally or as a career option, but these days due to the huge sums they are paid to play sports, and the various lucrative endorsements, most parents now encourage their kids to play sports actively. What’s your take on the global rise of sports? Do you think it will last a long time or is it just a flash in the pan period?

Good question, if social media continues to take over I believe it will last for a Long time because the kids follow trends and whatever they see on the internet.

Looking at how far you have come and where you are today, what are the things you are most thankful for?

I am thankful for the gift of life, to be alive and well, to have 3 healthy kids, to be able to play overseas for 8 years and live in 8 different countries. It was a privilege to experience other people’s cultures and how they live. It was a great experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. And I am most thankful for my wife who has helped a lot with our daycares

How do you cope with the attention, both wanted and unwanted, from admirers and fans, especially the females ones seeing you are happily married?

I’m a loner and always staying busy looking at more business ventures. I’m not perfect but being focused on myself a lot and with my family helps me to not get distracted easily.

Who or what influenced you to become an athlete?

I would say my dad. I love the game but he pushed me to excel, to practice and get really good at it.

These days it is normal to have sports people come to events with a playlist. Which artist(s) are you currently listening to their music? Who are your favorites? Do you have Afrobeats or African music on your playlist?

Honestly, I don’t have a favorite artist. I love all music. I vibe to any Drake, Kanye or Bad Bunny song. I listen to African music a lot. My kids and I like to dance in the living room to the songs.

Do you have any particular song that is always a part of your playlist? What should your fans expect from you in the coming months?

No, I don’t have any particular song on my playlists at this time. I just launched a real estate company (Lone Star real estate LLC). We are purchasing land and building small subdivisions. In the coming months we are expecting to get started and have 60 homes built for buyers to move in.

Where do you see yourself in the next ⅔ years and what advice do you have for young kids aspiring to become pro athletes?

I honestly think I will be one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. And my advice to kids looking to make a career out of sports is to practice, practice and practice.