“He was one of the guys I recruited, scouted and put on my little mental fantasy team. I watched him perform and now I tell all my friends, 'I told you he had game.’"
—NBA veteran Jalen Rose

"He’s pretty much a prankster, a loud guy.You know, we’re different, but we respect each other.”
—Former teammate Larry Hughes

"The second we saw him there was no question about his potential."
—Coaching legend Lute Olson

"I think he was more confident in his pro chances than anyone else."
—Broadcaster Steve Kerr

"He’s kept us above water when everyone else had been out. He’s matured so much, being a teammate, somewhat being a leader, being a point guard, being a scorer."
—Former Wizards head coach Eddie Jordan

"There’s ideology, and then there’s Gilbertology."
—Jordan

"You can’t get mad at him. You just have to laugh."
—Former teammate Jason Richardson

"I don’t know too many players who come in at two, three in the morning, or put up 500 jump shots every day to try and improve their game. Gilbert is just a basketball junkie."
—NBA executive Ernie Grunfeld

"On the court, Gilbert had the best instincts I’d ever seen. He knew more about the game than I did."
—Grant High School head coach Howard Levine

"Gilbert is one of the most competitive guys I’ve been around in many years."
—Former Wizards owner Abe Pollin

"When I look at him, I look at myself."
—Gilbert Arenas Sr

"If you find a serious moment in Gilbert Arenas, let me know."
—Former teammate Kwame Brown

"He brings excitement and energy to the floor."
—Formet teammate Jason Gardner

"He’s a competitor, and he’s the best teammate ever."
—Former teammate Anthony Peeler

"He’s a bitch to guard."
—NBA veteran David Wesley

“In this game, so many guys want their credit, respect, their street cred. For people like me and Gil, it goes deeper than that. We want people to recognize us for what we've overcome. We carry that around. When what you've been taught is what you won't be, what you won't achieve, that you weren't good enough, your whole work ethic becomes about proving people wrong.”
—NBA veteran Bruce Bowen