Pat Beverley loves being back home - "I want to embrace this because it's a kid's dream come true"

It's been a whirlwind of a homecoming for Pat Beverley.

The past week or so has been a whirlwind for veteran guard Patrick Beverley. Despite all the hoopla over his decision to come home and play for his hometown Chicago Bulls after getting bought out by the Orlando Magic, the 10-year pro says he wants to cherish every moment of this dream turning into a reality.

"I just want to embrace it. Obviously, you're stuck trying to win games. But I want to embrace this because it's a kid's dream come true. A kid from Chicago, playing for your hometown, winning games, making a playoff push. It's all you dream about," said Beverley.

Familiar surroundings

The 34-year-old guard is taking it all in one moment at a time. After all, it's been a long road to get back home. A high school star at Marshall in high school, Beverley then went to Arkansas before embarking on a pro career that has taken him to places he never imagined. From Ukraine, Greece and Russia to Houston, both Los Angeles teams, Minnesota and now Chicago, Beverley's basketball journey has now come full circle in his hometown.

"I can ride past Marshall. I can go to Jimmy's and get me a polish sausage. My little spots that a lot of people even from Chicago don't know about," shared Beverley of the things he's been doing ever since he got back home.

"I get a thrill out of taking my lunch from RPM Italian and eating on Lake Shore. I get a thrill out of that sitting in my car, eating my lunch, looking at Lake Shore. It's been a different vibe. At night, I can just chill, sit in the back of my car and look at the city. It's been very different."

What a night❤️❤️❤️ I really play for the BULLS

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) February 25, 2023

Immediate impact

The sample size is just two games, but the results have been promising for the Bulls. Winners of both games since Beverley's arrival, Chicago has shown more pep in their step, with confidence growing each night. The team's attitude has shifted, and Beverley is a big reason why. With him leading the defensive charge alongside Alex Caruso, the Bulls are slowly but surely climbing out of the cellar they​​ found themselves in before the All-Star Break.

😤 pic.twitter.com/yoCBD87Elc

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 26, 2023