Each day this week we're introducing you to 'Remarkable Kids.' Today, we meet a kid in Pine Bluff who is remarkable both on and off the court.
Twelve year old TJ Brown has dreams.
"I want to be in the NBA," Brown said. "To dominate."
Like a lot of kids his age, he wants to be like NBA star Stephen Curry. But the reason isn't what you think.
"I appreciate how Steph helps his community," explained Brown.
He is a remarkable kid, not because of his skill, but because of his heart.
"Just by being myself, acting good, having good behavior and being respectful to other people," said Brown, who added his mother taught him that.
"You're like, wow, this kid is great," exclaimed Emily Burris, the site coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County.
That's where Brown and dozens of other kids are spending their summer.
"One of our rules," said Burris, "is make your mentors happy." That's a rule Brown has always followed.
"TJ is an awesome member to have here," Burris added. "He helps out all the time. Half the time without anyone asking, he's just really down to be a helper."
Helping others, while dealing with some really hard things himself.
"A lot of people bullied me when I was little," Brown admitted. To overcome that, "I just do what I do," he explained. "I just black them out. They talk about me I just walk away." When asked if it was hard, he shook his head, "not at all."
Brown walks away to another of his hobbies -- reading.
"I like to read things that are exciting," he said, "things that make my head go 'WOW!'"
In the classroom, and on the court, he's a positive influence. Whether his shots fall or not, TJ Brown is one Remarkable Kid we would all like on our team.
"It's promising," added Burris, "that if we have leaders like this that other kids will follow their example. They'll say, 'Well, this is how TJ is doing and he's getting this recognition here. We're going to act more like this.'"