We know that you injured your elbow in the game against Italy, I know that you had to get stitches, how do you feel now and is it something more serious?
It feels good, I had to get two stiches during the game, some pain medications for the next game, but anything pass that it’s not too dangerous.
Who made you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball actually because of my two cousins, I just went to theirs house one day, we played outside and I just kind of fell in love in basketball.
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was 12.
A little bit late
Yes, I was playing soccer till then, all the way from 5 years old to 12.
Have you tried your hand at other sports?
I did a little bit of boxing cause my brother is a boxer but other than that I didn’t take that too serious.
Were your parents involved in professional or childhood sports?
My mom didn’t do anything, but my dad was paralympic powerlifter.
For people who don’t know you, who are you like in your playing style and what are your strongest points?
Some players compare myself with Devin Booker, Tyler Herro, those are some guys that can kind a score from three levels, are good guards, can really shot the 3, they can create for themselves. So those are two guys that I watch the most. And the strongest point of my game is just kind a creating for myself and being aggressive.
In your opinion, in what aspect of the game are you underrated ?
I would say my passing just because sometimes I’m really aggressive and obviously some people could say I’m selfish, but I think in this tournament I’m still averaging 4.5 assist. Some people don’t look that as much but I’m staying with the passing, get assist just from being so aggressive when people overhelp I’m able to find my teammates.
What would you like to improve most in your game?
I think just growing as a point guard, like knowing situations. I want to be better general on the court, offense and defense. Kind a being able for the coaches to sit down and me to leading the team.
What are the main differences you see between playing in the NCAA and in Europe?
Physicality for sure, NCAA I think is just way more physical. The way the people help is a little different, the way people bump is a little different.
Who from the U20 team do you get along with best on the court and why?
I would say Krzysztof Kempa, we talk a lot during timeouts, when there is free throws and during staff like that just kind a what I should do better what he should do better, so I think Kempa is someone really cool to play with.
You are a key figure in the team, does the role of leader overwhelm you at times?
Not really, I mean I kind of knew that coming in here especially after U18. At every level you play you want to get to the highest level and you want to be a leader, so I just need to learn it now. I love taking it on.
What were your goals for this tournament, both in terms of teams and individuals?
I definitely want to win, some guys didn’t believed that we can get that far so I’m happy that we did top 8. Personal goals I didn’t have the strongest showing of myself in D1 so I kind of knew I have to come here and show people that I’m worth picking up from D1 schools or the Pro team, I just wanted to show people that I still got it.
It’s no big secret that you decided to leave Sam Houston, I heard that you have a lot of offers to return to Canada, but you would probably prefer a different scenario next season am I right?
Yeah, so I left Sam Houston and I kind of just want to go to place where I’m going to have the ball a lot at the 1 position where I can build consistency as a point guard as I said earlier. University Canada gave me the opportunity to do that, they always show me love and its really good program close to my house. We’ve been in touch and they know if something big pops out here, obviously I want to get back and play D1 again. I’m also open for playing in pro team here in Europe, I probably will make decision in the next week.
Finally, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
The NBA, that’s the goal I’ve always wanted to reach, and I think that’s steal doable.
