"You tell people that now and they look at you like you're crazy," he said. "It wasn't about the money, but about growing up and having the respect to pay your way; you earn your keep. If you're old enough to make your own decisions, you're old enough to pay rent. I value that from her ..."

She also taught humility. Her favorite phrase was telling her sons to be sure to "change your attitude to gratitude."

Although her family is raised, she hasn't stopped being a mom. Boylen said she continues to make sure "we are in line in our walk with God and that we're where we should be; she stays on me about that, too."

"A terrific mom," he added.

So good, in fact, that she may have unknowingly taught him something about dealing with basketball players. If one gets in trouble, and blames the fact he grew up in a single-parent home without much money, Boylen can say he did, too.

It's not about circumstances. It's about attitude.

e-mail: rock@desnews.com