Я не очень похож на своих братьев. - I am not really like my brothers.

Я немного похож на своих братьев. - I am a bit like my brothers.

Quote Originally Posted by zorro View Post
What if I want to say, "I used to be an athlete." Is it Я был спортсменом. or Я был атлетом.? I want to say this was serious sports, that I played sports all through college competitively, not as a hobby like jogging or tennis for fun.
Я был спортсменом. Я занимался серьёзным/большим спортом.

"атлет" will not do here. It is an emotional epithet (first meaning is "a beautiful strong man with impressive constitution"), applying it to oneself is funny.

Quote Originally Posted by zorro View Post
Even the word "sports" isn't that clear to me. If I want to say, "I always liked sports." Would it be Мне всегда нравились спортивные игры. ?
Мне всегда нравился спорт. or Мне всегда нравились спортивные игры. depending on what exactly you mean.

Спортивные игры are football, basketball, etc. (that is interactive competition of teams) but NOT sprint, weight-lifting etc.

But all of those above are спорт.