Why 44? 

People ask me one question all the time. Why 44?

The answer starts with the number 4.

I was born on January 4th, so that number has always followed me through life. Over time I realized it stood for something deeper than just a birthday.

Foundation. Structure. Discipline.

Four corners hold up a building.

Four directions guide the way forward.

And basketball taught me another meaning. In high school my number was 22.

Double that… you get 44.

But on the court there’s another lesson. When a team has the lead, a coach sometimes calls four corners — slow the game down, stay disciplined, protect the lead, and make the right decisions.

Life works the same way. You can rush and lose control… or you can stay disciplined, play the long game, and win.

The 44 Principles in this book come from that mindset.

Lessons from the Bronx.

Lessons from basketball.

Lessons from family.

Lessons from life.

Each principle stands on its own, but together they build a foundation rooted in:

Hustle.

Discipline.

Leadership.

Legacy.

So when people ask why 44, the answer is simple. Because the right principles, applied consistently, can change your life.