Q: How many college offers do you have? From whom?

 

A: I have 30.

 

Q: How have you felt about the recruiting process? Has it been stressful, enjoyable…

 

A: It’s been good. You know, it’s been picking up lately, but i’m just taking it all in right now.

 

Q:Are there any frontrunners in your recruiting process, any schools that have stood out to you?

 

A: No. My list of schools is Arizona, Baylor, Kentucky, Arizona State, Duke, Kansas, U of H, Texas, Texas A and M

 

Q: How have you handled the pressure of being a top prospect in the 2017 class?

 

A: I wouldn’t say it’s pressure right now I mean, I just go out there and play and I haven’t really narrowed into my recruiting process yet because I still have a whole ‘nother’ year, but for the most part right now i’m just playing. Still living it

 

Q: How old were you when you started playing basketball?

 

A: I was 5  

 

Q: Who was your main influence in playing basketball?

   

A: I don’t know. I would just say my family. Everyone in my family plays basketball. It was just like destined for me to play too because of my family.

     

Q: What would you say is your greatest basketball achievement so far?

 

A: I would have to say winning the gold medal for the USA U16 Team.

 

Q: What was that experience like for you, winning the gold medal and playing with the team?

 

A: It was a remarkable experience. Winning the gold medal for your country and for that high level of play that we play with and then the amount of competition that we played against and that was on our team.

 

Q: How have your friends and family influenced you throughout your basketball career?

 

A: They really keep me focused, keep me on the right track. They've supported me, helped me make some decisions. Just mainly support.

 

Q: Do you play any other sports besides basketball?

 

A: I played football and I ran track.

 

Q: How has playing other sports helped you as a basketball player?

 

A: I would say football helped me tremendously with physicality. Just the toughness, the physical toughness along with the mental toughness and also with footwork for sure. I was a wide receiver and a cornerback, so the footwork really helped me on the basketball court. And with track, it helped me with my quick speed, my lighter speed, my conditioning, and my quickness.

 

Q: When did you run track and play football?

 

A: I played football up until my freshman year and ran track up until my freshman year too, but I actually might run track again this year.

 

Q: What part of your game do you most want to work on and what do you feel is the biggest strength in your game?

 

A: The main part that I want to work on is my perimeter shooting, improve from 3-point range. I'd say my biggest strength would have to be my rebounding, my leadership, and my playmaking ability.

     

Q: What are your goals for the upcoming season? What are your goals for the future past high school?

 

A: My goal for next season is to win a state championship as far as school basketball. For aau summer circuit, I want to win the championship. For future goals, I want to go to college of course, possibly make it to the league, have a long career there. I want to have a long prosperous career.

 

Q: How has playing with Houston Hoops, your AAU team helped your game?

 

A: It helped me because they put me in positions for me to be successful. I play along with some great guys, like last year with De'Aaron Fox and just playing against the number of talent that we had on our team and going into the tournament, playing against other teams with the same amount of talent. It helped me out a lot. Playing against the best players always brings out the best in you.

 

Q: How do you balance school and basketball?

 

A: I just make sure that I prioritize, have my priorities right. I know school comes first, that's the main thing. I make sure I get all my work done, then I go workout. If I don't have something basketball related on the same day as something education or school related then I make sure I get my educational stuff done first before basketball because the main thing for me is to get an education because we're student athletes now, so the educational part comes first.

 

Q: Do you know what you would like to major in, in college yet?

 

A: My top choice is chemical engineering, then I'll probably minor in business management or something like that.

 

Q: What kinds of things are you looking for in a school when deciding where to play college basketball?

 

A: Basketball related I'm looking for the best fit for me, the most comfortable spot where I can fit in, come in right away and be a game changer.  That's my goal. A place that I'd fit, with the same type of system that I excel in. [I also want] a coach that will help develop me as a player and get me to where I need to go.

 

Q: Is there any player that you try to model your game after? What player are you most compared to?

 

A: I wouldn't say there is a player that I model my game after. I might get a couple of moves here and there from somebody, but I just try to have my own style and be my own player. The main person that I do get compared to is Lamar Odom, Penny Hardaway.

 

A: Do you have any pregame routines?

 

Q: My music and my headphones. I put my beats headphones on and it just locks me into the game. Put my headphones on and it puts me in a different zone for the game.

 

Q: What is your favorite subject in school?
 

A: My favorite subject is math

 

Q: What are your hobbies other than basketball?

 

A: I like to play football,  play video games, and hang out with my friends.

 

Q: What motivates you to continue to pursue your goals as a basketball player?

 

A: My motivation is that I'm so close to being there. It pushes me to reach a little further because I feel like I'm almost there. I do it for my family because nobody has made it that far yet. They've played D1 basketball, but nobody in my family has made it to the league and also just providing for my family.