Former Duke University basketball player Grayson Allen, who is now well-known for his NBA career, is well-known for using this quote to share his opinions on privacy and public opinion. To put it simply, Allen is expressing his desire to keep the majority of his personal life hidden from the public, but he also admits that people mostly see him when he is competing, such as when he is playing basketball.
Allen compares himself to an entertainer who only displays their true nature on stage. It seems as though everything about him is revealed for everyone to judge when he enters the courtroom. He allows his emotions to run wild during these moments and tries to annoy opponents in order to disrupt their game and spur them on to greater effort.
This quotation demonstrates Allen's awareness that people frequently evaluate public figures only on their behavior under pressure or when they are most noticeable. Allen makes it apparent that he wants his competitive side to be remembered and assessed, despite the fact that many people might anticipate that someone like him would behave one way off the court and another while playing.
Grayson Allen inspires others to see past first impressions and realize that people frequently have multiple facets to their personalities by sharing this glimpse into his personality and outlook on life. The private facets of a person's life may not be visible, but they play an equally significant role in forming who they are, much like a tree's roots are invisible above ground but essential to its stability.