When Jrue Holiday was a teenager, he was in need of extra money. With a talent for efficiently bagging groceries, he approached his mother, Toya, who was the athletic director at his school in Los Angeles. He wanted to work at the local grocer Vons to earn some cash for movies and food. However, his mother emphasized that school was his priority, so he ended up not taking the job.
Instead, Toya volunteered Jrue to be the manager for the women’s tennis team, a role that was new to him as he was used to being a star basketball player. He learned to sacrifice and contribute to the team in different ways, which helped him build bonds away from the court.
Years later, Jrue found himself in the NBA, where his experiences managing the tennis team and interacting with teammates off the court proved to be valuable. His teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo recalls deep conversations they had in Abu Dhabi, where Jrue and his wife Lauren shared advice and perspectives from their own sports and life journeys.
The Holidays have attracted a unique perspective through their sports backgrounds and experiences, which they are open to sharing with others. Jrue’s role goes beyond basketball as he focuses on building relationships, trust, and chemistry with his teammates.
When he joined the Milwaukee Bucks, Jrue was not only known for his on-court abilities but also for his locker room presence and positive influence on his teammates. His impact was not just in defense but in bringing the team together and helping everyone improve on and off the court. This led the Boston Celtics to bring him in for a similar role.
As a teammate, Jrue Holiday is known for his trust in others and his ability to build connections with those around him. He and his wife Lauren have welcomed teammates into their family, hosting dinners and engaging in community service together. Their goal is to merge their lives off the court with their basketball careers.
Jrue credits Lauren, a former soccer star, with teaching him the importance of empathy and resilience. Her competitive nature and ability to bounce back from setbacks have influenced Jrue, shaping his approach to challenges and relationships.
Throughout his career, Jrue Holiday has focused on helping his teammates succeed and fostering a sense of community and trust within the teams he’s been a part of. He has been described as a team player, always willing to adapt his role for the betterment of the team.
With his recent extension with the Boston Celtics, Jrue Holiday has found a home both on and off the court. His family-oriented approach and focus on community service reflect his values and priorities. While his basketball career has been marked by sacrifices and adjustments, Jrue remains committed to his teammates’ success and the team’s goals.
As he looks towards the future, Jrue Holiday may consider various career paths, from coaching to television, but one job that has always held a special place in his heart is bagging groceries at Vons. His wife Lauren jokes that he still dreams of working at Vons, fulfilling a childhood wish, and continuing to serve others.
Through his experiences in sports, family life, and community service, Jrue Holiday continues to inspire those around him and leave a lasting impact on his teammates and the broader basketball community.
© The Athletic