Pacers forward Thad Young begins his on-court warmup routine 65 minutes before each game. When he arrives for home games, there are two kids ready to watch. They might be wearing his jersey or specially-designed jackets with his name and number on it.

Even though they get photos with other superstars around the league, Young is their favorite.

He is their dad.

Thaddeus Jr. is eight years old, Taylor is five. They relish time with their father, whether it’s at his workplace, playing around at their home, or going to the new Spiderman movie. Young is a consummate pro, known for his reliability and toughness. To T.J. and Taylor, though, he is just dad.

“Me playing with my sons before the games,” Young said, “it energizes me for the games because I know they’re watching. I know they’re trying to see what their father is trying to do and I know they pay attention.

“I’m always about my kids. They mean the world to me. I just continue to try to be a great father and show them that I really care and love them.”

Now in his 12th season, Young has the NBA schedule figured out, how to maximize his body during rough stretches and get the most out of his teammates. He also strives to include his family as much as he can.

“I know a lot of my time is being taken with basketball and league stuff, so I want to spend as much time as possible with my kids and my wife,” he said. “I like my home, it’s a happy home and I want to keep it that way.

“My kids get to experience a lot. They get to experience different arenas, get to experience seeing all the different players, they get to experience the atmosphere and if they choose to play one day, they will already be used to it.”

Maybe it’s meeting his family in Chicago after being away for several days. It’s also being their dad even when the professional basketball player is wiped out after a road trip and needs his rest.

“Thaddeus is really hands on when he’s actually home,” his wife, Shekinah, explains. “The biggest thing we always talk about is making memories and the things we didn’t get to do when we were younger.

“Thaddeus’ dad played in the NBA, but he didn’t play when Thaddeus was around – like T.J. and Taylor (are).”

Before tip-off, the Young boys will often spot their favorite player on the other team and head over to get a picture with him. Typically wearing matching shoes, they’ll snap a memorable shot next to league stars like DeMar DeRozan, Donovan Mitchell, Joel Embiid, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — with plans for the photos to be compiled into a scrapbook of memories.

It’s even more noticeable when the kids are around because they’re the only ones, usually. Darren Collison has a 5-year-old son who attends games, and Collison plans to have him hang around the team more often.

The boys are collecting the best pictures. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UsspYSiUZG — Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) November 20, 2018

“He’s a family man, that’s the first thing that comes to mind,” assistant coach Popeye Jones said. “He’s showing you that he’s a family man and he wants his kids to be around, same as I did, in this sports environment.

“I know his kids are a little young. I know when my kids got older, I would take them to practice and Seth, who plays (NHL hockey) down in Columbus, still talks about seeing the work ethic of guys like (Dirk) Nowitzki and (Jason) Terry and (Jason) Kidd in Dallas because I would have them behind the scenes to see that.

“We don’t care if our kids are professional athletes or not, but we want them to see the work ethic, the values and what goes into being a professional — whatever they decide to do as an adult.”

Thad and Shekinah recently read an article about a professional player feeling like an outcast, having to learn about his kids after his primary focus was on his career. Young and the Pacers can be on the road for stretches of a week or more, but he frequently checks in and is always a part of their life, even if it’s relying on FaceTime.

“We were talking about that and I was like, ‘I don’t want to be like that,’ ” Shekinah said. “He’s been playing 12 years and then we wake up one day and he’s like, ‘Uh, I don’t really know you guys?’ He’s really hands-on with me and with the boys.

“Anything he can come to when he doesn’t have practice he does. This past Saturday when we went bowling, he was so tired, but he came.”

The Young boys have already started playing basketball. Most games are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which works for Thad’s schedule. Initially, he would watch quietly from the stands. That didn’t last long, however.

“Now picture Thad on the baseline beside the basket stanchion and telling the boys to spread out and move around – as we’ve seen with LeBron (James),” Shekinah said. “He stands up and his arms are folded screaming. ‘T.J.!’ ”

Young has a reason for that. (Watch this video of T.J. playing with audio of Thad barking instructions.)

“It’s not just for my kid, it’s for all the kids,” he said of his yelling of instructions during games. “To see a dad and to see somebody who is actually in the NBA cheering at the games and to be able to coach them up and to explain certain situations to them — that lasts a lifetime.

“Kids love that type of experience. I know my son (T.J.) cherishes it. His dad is coming to the games and watching him. Sometimes he’s a bit taken aback by it because he wants to make the right play, he wants to do the right thing. He believes in playing the right way.”

Just like dad, T.J. plays the game the right way. “He’s my split-image, seriously,” Young said, adding that T.J. will often sit on the couch next to him and review games.

Taylor, the kindergartner, is more aggressive. He gets after it and plays like the other kids, trying to shoot every time he can.

Young’s father, Felton Young, played at Jacksonville University and then was drafted by the Buffalo Braves in the eighth round of the 1978 NBA Draft, the same one where Larry Bird was taken sixth overall.

Thad wasn’t born for another 10 years, so he didn’t get to experience that time with his father, but they still talk or text almost daily.

Felton retired after “tearing up everything in his knees” and became a teacher. A 7-foot center himself, Felton trained and coached Thad during his final year of AAU competition in Memphis.

On June 21, 1988, Thaddeus was born in New Orleans. His name is Greek, meaning “heart” or “courageous heart.” How appropriate, right?

“I’m very, very happy that is my name,” Thaddeus said. “It’s different than a lot of people. You don’t have very many Thaddeus’. It’s symbolic of me. I have a lot of heart, a lot of courage and I continue to fight and each every day.”

High school sweethearts

Thaddeus and Shekinah met as teenagers in Memphis. They were 16 when they saw each other at a rivalry high school football game. Now, she’s not a sports fan and only watches basketball because her husband plays. Back then, she had no idea that Thad was a great basketball player and a big deal around town.

After the football game, Thad asked his childhood friend (now trainer) James Harvey Jr. for his cousin’s number.

“I wasn’t paying attention and said, ‘OK, go ahead and give it to him,’ ” she remembered. “We texted for a week before we actually saw each other.”

NBA marriages have their challenges. Thad has played in four cities over his 12 seasons and once was traded during the season from Minnesota to Brooklyn.

They had a home in Memphis, then sold it to a Pittsburgh Steelers player after connecting on Instagram. They rent their Brooklyn condo on the water to an executive at Google. This year, they moved from Fishers to a home in Westfield, where they have a live-in nanny and plenty of space for the boys to play outside.

“It’s different,” Shekinah said of being an NBA wife. “When Thaddeus was drafted, (Philadelphia) had Malik Rose so his wife really helped as far as getting adjusted. The first few years were difficult being away from home for the first time. It’s not like it’s a couple hours drive from Philadelphia (to Memphis), so it was an adjustment.”

She tries to meet Thad on road trips if they’re longer than two nights. It helps when she can visit other players’ wives in a city. Shekinah makes the effort to be there with him.

On top of being a mother and a wife, Shekinah is the owner of a beauty salon in Memphis. And if she is not at home, he won’t sleep in their bed. Young will stay on the couch.

“It’s just like it’s unfamiliar territory if my wife’s not in the bedroom,” he said.

Guess who caught me taking pictures lol?! @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/L3dZH3YZ68 — Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) November 6, 2018

Outside of basketball …

Thad was born in New Orleans so he’s a Saints fan.

“Of course every time the Saints (13-2) play and they’ve been winning this season, he’s been talking trash to everyone,” Shekinah said. “Except for Myles (Turner) because the Cowboys just beat them.”

He also has an obsession for shoes, specifically Nike, which started when he was in high school. He owns more than 1,000 pairs scattered across Indy, Memphis, Brooklyn and in a storage unit.

Remember those Oregon Ducks shoes sent only to former players? Young quietly obtained a pair. For practices and games, Young always wears a pair of PG 2s (Paul George).

Young only wears Nike, but he does allow his sons to wear other brands. Like Steph Curry’s (Under Armour) or James Harden’s (Adidas) signature kicks. But … Young jokes how he refuses to buy a non-Nike shoe, so he leaves that to Shekinah.

“I just try to make it as comfortable as possible for him,” she said. “During the season, the only thing Thaddeus really has to do is take the trash out. I just try to simplify things for him during the season.”

Young also shared that he spends his free time on tech investing. He launched his own company, Reform Ventures, for investments in tech companies. Currently, he has stakes in about 10 to 15 companies and is constantly considering adding new ones to his portfolio, taking meetings in person and by phone during the busy NBA season.

“I’m very, very strategic on my investments and what I want to do as far as different companies, markets and realms of the business side,” Young said.

It’s not something he usually talks about.

“I try to be real quiet and strategic with some of the things I do,” he continued. “I don’t really want it all out there. I don’t really care about the publicity.”

Turner, who is 22 years old and the longest-tenured Pacer, has benefited from Young’s knowledge — both on and off the court.

“Thad’s really good with his finances and his business so he’s given me advice in that area,” Turner said. “He’s just a good overall dude. He has a nice family, he’s a family guy and does a lot of stuff in the community. He’s everything you want in one of your leaders.”

Giving back

Young, 30, has accomplished a lot. He has a family, has built a successful career in the NBA and frequently gives back to the community, specifically Indianapolis and Memphis.

He’s paid for back-to-school haircuts, backpacks and school supplies. His high school retired his No. 33 jersey in a ceremony 13 months ago, but financing an overhaul of its weight room was more meaningful to him.

Young has a two-court gym in Memphis — Forum Sports Training — that is outfitted with almost everything he uses at the Pacers’ facility. He has AAU boys teams (ages 13-17), with intentions to add several girls teams soon. The first NBA player to come through his AAU was none other than former Indiana standout OG Anunoby, a starter for the Toronto Raptors.

Young has contributed to the Pacers’ annual Thanksgiving dinner for more than 1,000 individuals. He also took over the Sideline Soldiers program in 2017 from C.J. Miles.

“What’s most meaningful to me is being able to bless others,” he said. “That’s why we do what we do. I’m been fortunate to make a lot of money in this league and do a lot of different things, travel the world and see a lot of different places.

“Giving back to the community and giving back to places that I hold close to my heart is huge for me because I get a chance to bless others and give them a chance to experience different things as I have.

Tonight @yungsmoove21 welcomed men & women from the military as a part of Sideline Soldiers! They were treated to a pre-game meet and greet and dinner! Thank you each for your service! pic.twitter.com/ehLVenD3KE — Pacers Cares (@PacersCares) December 17, 2018

Valuing wins over stats

Young was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 17, just the third Pacer in the last decade to receive the honor (Paul George, Victor Oladipo). During that stretch, he averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while helping the team go 4-0. For the season, he’s averaging 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

“It’s cool. It was just something else that you can add to the résumé,” he said. “My main focus is helping my guys win games, being there for my guys on a nightly basis, be the best player I can be at this point in time in my career and continuing that longevity.

Nothing he does is flashy but it is efficient and appreciated. He’ll often guard the opponent’s best player, containing Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to 12 points in 31 minutes. On top of that, he finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and four assists in the victory. It was one of the most complete games of his career.

“I’ve always been a player that didn’t really care about stats, I care about just getting the job done each and every night,” Young said.

“In the glue guy role, I just try to keep everything together, make sure that I’m always giving us the best opportunity to win the game and the best opportunity to execute on each and every play.”

Young recently pulled down his 5,000th rebound and is now one of eight active players in the NBA with over 11,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 1,000 assists and 1,000 steals.

Pacers guard Tyreke Evans hugs forward Thaddeus Young after a play during a recent game against the Jazz. (Jeff Swinger / USA Today Sports)

Uncertain future, focus on the present

Young was uncertain that he would return to the Pacers for a third season, weighing his options for several months. It was in his control with a player option due by the end of June. He was seeking a long-term deal, but the outlook didn’t look great this summer so he exercised his option.

“Throughout the process, I’ve always said that I wanted to remain here,” said Young, one of five rotational players in a contract year. “My family likes it here, my kids asked me every day, ‘Are we leaving?’ I was like, ‘What do you know about what’s going on right now?’ And they’ll tell me. They want Daddy to stay here because they have friends now.”

Young is the glue that keeps the Pacers together. His personality is very calm and laid back, but make no mistake, he speaks up when the team needs it. He’s had to do it on several occasions already this season after the Pacers relinquished numerous double-digit leads.

“He’s kind of that E.F. Hutton-type guy that when he speaks, everybody listens,” Pacers coach Nate McMillan said, referencing to the successful stock brokerage firm and its memorable advertising line. “He’s not saying anything just to be talking. … He’s doing it for a reason.”

NBA players make good money and enjoy the fruits of their labor, traveling first class and getting treated like royalty. The harsh reality is that it can be hard on families, especially when they are involved in trade talks or their contract nears completion.

Every locker room needs a guy like Thad Young. He is the epitome of the Pacers and what every team wants in a player. He’s smart, versatile and their most consistent performer.

Young also is a proud father and wants to spend plenty of time with his family, enjoying the life he built.

(Top photo of Thad Young: Jeff Swinger / USA Today Sports)