Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman’s defensive exploits have earned a special place in basketball folklore. Apart from his sporting legacy, Dennis Rodman is also remembered for his bizarre and unorthodox lifestyle. When Dennis Rodman was just three years old, his father Philander Rodman Jr. would abandon him and his family. Rodman became the only male member of the household. Growing up with two sisters has indeed had an influence on the 5x-NBA champion.

On numerous occasions, the Hall of Famer has landed in hot waters due to his antics. Anyhow, Rodman has arguably overcome the tumultuous times and scrutinies, one after the other. He stood unfazed amid hardships, perhaps because of the kind of childhood and upbringing he had.

Dennis Rodman didn’t have a male figure to look up to in his house

Childhood was no bed of roses for Dennis Rodman. The 2x-All-Star grew up in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, which then was an impoverished ghetto. Aggravating this tumult, Rodman’s father left him and his family. Without any brothers and a father, his two sisters Debra and Kim, and their mother were Rodman’s only companions. Debra and Kim, interestingly and literally, saw Rodman as one of their kind itself.

In his recent interview with DjVlad on YouTube, Rodman had a freewheeling conversation with the host. Unsurprisingly, the two dived deeper into Rodman’s eventful personal life, starting from his childhood. The host pointed out that Rodman himself has at times recalled how his two sisters used to dress him up like a girl. “Oh man, that was so gay,” said Dennis Rodman. “There was no male figure, so they just dressed me as a girl.”

This influence Debra and Kim had on their brother, however, was short-lived. The Worm would soon recognize his passion and steer clear of those influences.

How Dennis Rodman changed his course

Rodman was not molded the way his sisters treated him while he grew up. “I really didn’t fall into that mold you know because I could have went in and the direction you know. But for some reason, I didn’t do that. I guess something changed in me when I started playing basketball,” Rodman added during the interview. Rodman’s basketball journey was as interesting as other aspects of his life. When he started to hoop, he was around 5’7. It was only after he turned 20 that Rodman started to grow taller.

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The sisters who dressed him up like a girl were also into the same sport. Besides, they were much more promising prospects than a young Rodman ever was. Just like his short and sleek physique, this shortcoming too became a story of the past. The underwhelming prospect went on to win five titles with two different teams and eventually became a Hall of Famer for his contributions.

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