"What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player" really means a lot. This quote came from a famous basket ball player from UCLA. It means that it's more important to become a good person than your talent. You can be the most talented person in any sport/hobby, and be a bad person. Being a good person means someone who makes good choices. This would be important in a team because being a good person means making good choices. Being someone helps you define you. Many famous people for example example have good talents. Talent like signing or acting make them famous, but they aren't good with there personality. Many famous people would ignore, offend and even do bad actions(like throwing microphones to the ground) from new reporter and fans. This comes to show that they have no good personality, but good talents. This example totally matches the quote. That's why it's important to remember that you should respect others.Example of someone who has talents but no  good personality. Cristiano  Ronaldo in this instance throwing the microphone of the news reporter to the lake.