Juan Toscano-Anderson grew up in East Oakland. He wasn't supposed to make the NBA.
But he defied the odds and signed a contract with the Warriors on Feb. 7 for the remainder of the season.
When he made his debut vs. the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 8, he was rocking No. 95 on his jersey.
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SIGN UP HERE The 27-year-old became the second player in NBA history (current Atlanta Hawks guard DeAndre' Bembry is the other) to wear that number.
"I would have chosen No. 5 or No. 10," Toscano-Anderson explained to NBC Sports Bay Area during a recent Zoom conversation. "Ten is my favorite number, but I play with No. 5 in the G League. Those were both taken by Jacob Evans and Loon (Kevon Looney). So I thought No. 95 -- why not?
"I'm from Oakland, man. I'm from 95th (Avenue). The house that we've had for 50 years -- everybody has spent a significant amount of time in their life at that house.
"That house is not only special to me, but to pretty much my whole family. They all feel a part of it when I wear No. 95 because that's where we're all from -- it's special to everybody. I just wanted all of them to feel a part of this journey with me.
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"That was just my way of tying them into it."
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It really doesn't get any better than that.
Over 13 games (six starts) with the Warriors, the Castro Valley High School product averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.9 minutes.
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His best game was against the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 23 when he racked up 16 points (3-for-5 on 3s), eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 28 minutes.
It's easy to root for JTA.