Q: What schools did you have offers from before committing to the University of Washington? 

A: I had Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Washington, and then a few other schools were interested, Wisconsin and Nebraska. I think those were the main ones.

 

Q: What were the deciding factors in choosing Washington over those schools?

A: Mostly, the family atmosphere. I’ve known Lorenzo [Romar], the head coach, for a while. I really trust him and I know that he can help me develop my skills to take my game to the next level. I know it was really early, but I felt so sure about my decision that I was ready to do it as early as possible.

 

Q: You committed to Washington before the start of your sophomore year. What led you to commit so early? 

A: My brother has obviously blown up the past couple of years and I didn’t want that to get to my head, that kind of thing. I just wanted to get it over with. I was so sure about my decision, I didn’t really care about putting the other schools into consideration, so I jumped the gun and did it.

 

Q: Your brother Michael also has an offer from Washington. Have you talked to him about joining you at Washington?

A: Quite a bit actually, I try not to annoy him about it too often, but I’ve said one or two things about it. Hopefully, he makes the right decision.

 

Q: How does it help you as a player, being able to play with your brother at Father Tolton Catholic High School? 

A: It helps me a lot actually because we have each other’s backs all the time, we encourage each other to get better, and then after practice, we’ll play one on one and stuff which helps us each get better. It’s a great blessing to have him by my side.

 

Q: What are your goals for the upcoming season? 

A: To develop as a player and as a team. To mesh great and basically, to win a state championship; to not lose any games is the goal because we are definitely good enough to not lose to anybody on our schedule.

 

Q: What game are you most looking forward to this year? 

A: There are a couple. We play Vianney High School, out of St. Louis. We lost to them last year and it was actually at Mizzou. We play them at Mizzou again this year, so that will be a really fun game to play. Last year, in the quarterfinals, we lost to Madison Prep and they changed their name. We play them in our last home game of the year, so i’m really looking forward to that.

 

Q: What are your goals for the future, beyond high school? 

A: Obviously,  to go to Washington, then maybe make a far run in the tournament and get better as a player. Then, eventually play at the next level. That’s the goal.

 

Q: What would you say is the greatest strength in your game? 

A: Probably my versatility. I’m a big guy, 6’10”, so defense is a big strength of mine, blocking shots, being a rim protector, all that. I’m 6’10” now, but I’m supposed to get to 7’0” by the time I’m done growing.

 

Q: What part of your game do you most want to improve upon? 

A: Mostly, my brute skills down low, becoming more of a bully down there because I have the strength that I need, it’s just a mental thing. The size helps me because I can get buckets whenever I’m down there.

 

Q: How do you plan on improving those skills? 

Mostly, just practice. Practice makes perfect. If I practice it enough then I’ll get better and it’ll become part of my game.

 

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

A: I was two years old and my brother was three. My main influence in starting to play was my mom and dad. We, used to live in Noblesville, Indiana and my parents had a sit down conversation with everyone and told us that we could play basketball and try to get a college scholarship. I don’t think that either of us thought we would get this far, but it’s been a blessing from God. All of us have gotten somewhere and life and we’ll all be able to play basketball in college.

 

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

A: Not necessarily, but a lot of people say I’m like a bigger Lamar Odom in his prime because he was a very versatile player. I get a little Chris Bosh too, but that’s mostly because I’m left handed and I can shoot the three.

 

Q: How would you compare your game to your brother, Michael's game? 

A: We can both shoot the ball. We can both dribble, but I think that he is more of an offensively centered player, while I’m more focused on defense. I’m obviously bigger so I can guard bigger players, while he guards more guard-type players.

 

Q: Do you have any pregame routines? 

A: Not really, we just pray together and we go out before the game.

 

Q: What are your hobbies aside from basketball? 

A: I’m actually a big electronic guy. I fix phones in my spare time and I like software/apple stuff mainly. I like to hang out with my friends a lot also, like going swimming or playing airsoft, just fun stuff.

 

Q: How has playing with your AAU team, Mokan Elite, helped you improve your game? 

A: It was mostly, my confidence because we play the best of the best players every single game, so I see how I stack up against them and I realize that I’m one of the better players in my class and I actually believe that now. My confidence level has really been boosted since last summer.

 

Q: What obstacles have you had to overcome to get to where you are today? 

A: That’s a tough one. I’d say it might be my mental state. I’ve overcome it now, but I used to not think highly of myself. Whenever my coach tried to help me with my game, I was just arrogant and stubborn, but I think that has pretty much been wiped away. That whole thing has been an obstacle, but it’s starting to improve nowadays.

 

Q: And lastly, What motivates you to continue to pursue your goals as a basketball? 

A: That’s also a tough one. I’d say mostly, for self satisfaction because I’ve come all this way for a goal and it would be very bad to just quit. I’m always wanting to achieve goals that I’ve set out for myself, but also for my family. My parents help me so much and it’s time for me to repay them. I try to give back to them a little bit.