You just can’t help but love Darnell Jackson. Not only does he have that great smile that shines despite a life filled with adversity, but, even in the high-pressure days leading up to the NBA draft, the kid has his priorities straight.

Sure, he’s excited that it looks like he has a good chance of being drafted in the second round and he’s ready to “go anywhere” to pursue his basketball career. But even if a professional basketball career isn’t in the cards for him, he knows he’ll survive. “I plan on having a great and successful life no matter what happens,” he told the Journal-World. He has said he wants to work with youngsters or something else will come along. With or without the NBA, he’ll be fine.

If positive attitude was the deciding factor in the NBA draft, Jackson surely would be the No. 1 pick.