"What you are as a person is far more important than what your are as a basketball player."

  I think what this is trying to tell us is that being nice is more important than playing a sport.Because being nice and being a good sport will make u 10 times better of a person. Being mean but being a good sport isnt good because people wont like you bc of ur attitude no matter how good u r at a sport. People always look for the flaws of a person so if ur good at a sport but ur selfish people will automatically say u suck or ur not good bc of ur selfishness.Being good will avoid u from having conflicts with ur team mates and the others teams peers.Being good at a sport and being good to others makes u a good player sometimes even the best.Many players become selfish bc of the money they earn they dont realize what others really want. People just want a good player with a good personality.good players are good people . players with a good personality are the nicest to everyone with no exeptions they always forgive those who harm no matter what.