NBA: Chicago Bulls at Golden State WarriorsFeb 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy (34) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports Before I even started shooting Cal games or had any clue what to do with my Canon Rebel and a 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6, I was dating someone who's family had season tickets to the Golden State Warriors. Warriors draft pick, Mike Dunleavy Jr., was more less considered a huge disappointment and was constantly being boo-ed by the Warriors fans. I hate the idea of not cheering for your own player, so I decided to compensate by becoming the biggest Dunleavy fan... in the worst of ways!

I would come to games with my camera, I had his jersey, dressed as him for Halloween.

When he got traded to the Pacers - embarrassingly enough, I created my own jersey (this was before you could order custom jerseys) and I was his biggest (and potentially only) fan!

Tonight was the first time in my professional career, I had the opportunity to photograph my lil Dun-Dun!

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Golden State WarriorsFeb 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) fouls Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy (34) on a rebound during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

This fated day was more exciting in anticipation than in actuality, as in the moment he was ultimately just another player on the court and it's not my general personality to be fan girl... but the sense of "how far I've come" since those days it was certainly validating =) 

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Golden State WarriorsFeb 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports