Started from the bottom now we're here
The familiar lyrics from Drake's hit song might have echoed through the mind of rap icon Lil Wayne while he assessed Duke Riley's profile.
The rapper was in search of a marketable athlete to jump-start Young Money APAA Sports, which merged with Lil Wayne's successful Young Money Entertainment record label. According to the company's website, Young Money APAA Sports' main areas of expertise and execution are contract negotiations, marketing opportunities and client concierge services.
It helped that Riley, the Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker and third-round draft pick from LSU, is from the New Orleans area where Lil Wayne -- born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.