| 28 December 2009
What are your team and individual goals for this season?
Our goal as a team is to win a state championship. We've been thinking about that ever since we were young and this is possibly our best chance to do it. My personal goal is to lead my team and make sure that we accomplish our team goal. I feel like my scoring will come if I get other guys involved.
Who will be your biggest competition this year in Wesco?
Our biggest competition looks to be the 3A schools Meadowdale, Glacier Peak, and Shorecrest, but we can't overlook the 4A teams either because they are the teams we are battling with for the first seed in districts for WesCo South. We are not going to overlook anybody but instead take it one game at a time.
What would you say is your team's biggest strength?
We are a really fast and athletic team full of shooters and guys that are basketball savvy.
Besides you and Ryan Todd, who are some other players that will surprise some people this season?
Marshall Massengale will help us out a ton with his ability to do a little bit of everything including locking down the other team's best scorer. Austin O'keefe and Mike Wishko are two big guys that never get much credit but are really tough players that know how to rebound and play physical, not to mention that both of them have range out to the 3 point line and will hit shots consistently.
Are you still rocking a mohawk or are you going with a regular cut this season?
I'm growing my hair out to kind of shake things up a little bit and get that Matt Bouldin look.
Nice. Are there any current/former college or NBA players you model your game after?
I idolize Stephen Curry because I feel that our games are very similar and he proved that you can get to the highest level by showing an incredible ability to score, and how tremendously basketball savvy he is. He just plays the right way.
I know you're only a junior, but what's the situation looking like for college? What schools are showing interest? Do you have any scholarship offers?
Most of the Pac-10 and other schools on the west coast are showing interest, including Ivy League schools on the east coast. I have about 10 offers or so and look to pick up a lot more throughout this season and spring. I'm looking to make a decision sometime in the summer.
Are you 100% recovered from your injury last season?
Yeah, at times it feels a little awkward because I still don't have full pronation but it's pretty close to 100%. Sometimes subconciously I think I tend to try to stay away from any oppurtunity of falling on it because I still have a plate and six screws supporting my bone.
Did you do anything different this off season compared to past years, besides rehab?
I was on a pretty heavy weight lifting routine, something that was pretty new to me but has helped a ton. I was back at the gym every day working to fix my ball handling and shooting in order to be in the best form for this season.
I understand you play for ECBA, who is in the starting lineup?
Last year it was me, Chris McGrath from Cascade, Simi Fajemisin from Lynnwood, Conner Hamlett from Meadowdale, and Zack Johnson from Stanwood.
Who is the best player you've ever had to guard?
Probably Avery Bradley from Bellarmine Prep during the summer after my freshman year.
Thanks for your time.
Thanks for the interview!
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