New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills and Boston Celtics shooting guard Marcus Smart connected with each other long before their playing days in the Boston area. They share many similarities with each other, most noticeably, green hair. Smart has been dying his hair green throughout the Celtics’ playoff run.
Beyond that, both men grew up with each other, having gone to the same elementary school. Mills spoke to reporters on Thursday, with the Patriots offseason programs on the horizon. On the basketball court, Smart is in the middle of a playoff run with the Celtics, as they are taking on the Milwaukee Bucks.
Mills recalled his time with Smart as the two were growing up, as transcribed by Boston.com’s Khari Thompson
“You know what’s crazy? I actually went to school with Marcus Smart in Dallas in like fifth and sixth grade,” Mills revealed to reporters.
“Everybody knew back then that he was going to be a pro in basketball because he was dunking back then. He ended up transferring. So we’re actually both from the same part of town back at home.”
Even in the wide-open world of professional sports, Mills lends credence to the thought that maybe the professional sports world isn’t that big after all.