Local basketball standout among the finalists for Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year

WPTV

Aristotle once said, "Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do."

It's a mentality Croix Kendall brings to the basketball court.

WATCH WPTV'S COVERAGE BELOW: Local basketball standout among the finalists for Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year

"I like the competition. I actually love the competition. I work hard because of my mother,” said Kendall, who is only 12 and already a natural-born leader on and off the court.

"X is a great kid, we've been rooting for him, and we've been together for a while now, and we're just trying to make sure that he is the best individual he can be in the community, and if that translates to the court, then hey, we love it,” said Kendall’s basketball coach, Guy Etienne.

Well, let's say his character stands ou