Q: How long have you been playing your sports?
A: Basketball I started around first grade and then football lnd track my junior year.
Q: Did you ever play any other sports growing up?
A: Just basketball.
Q: What was it about basketball that drew your attention?
A: There was one time when LeBron (James) was in Miami and I was watching with my dad, and it looked cool, so I tried it.
Q: Why add football and track in high school?
A: Track, because I felt it would help me get more athletic. Then everyone said I looked like a football player and I should try it out, so I am.
Q: Playing three sports, how much training do you do per day or week on a yearly basis?
A: It’s an everyday thing. During the summer, I’ll be focused on football and travel basketball, I don’t know how I’ll manage it all, but I’ll find a way.
Q: How does your training differ when you are in the season compared to the offseason?
A: Offseason is about doing more personal stuff, while in-season I find it to be a bit calmer.
Q: Do you have downtime away from sports?
A: Rarely.
Q: Would you have it any other way?
A: I don’t know because I’m always outside trying to get better.
Q: Rating the sports you play versus academics, which is more important in your life?
A: My parents always tell me that school is first and sports are second, the coaches too. Do I take that? No.
Q: Of the sports you play, which sport is most important?
A: Basketball is still No. 1.
Q: What skills do sports teach you that you apply to life?
A: Discipline, hard work and patience.
Q: What goals do you have for your senior year, academically and/or athletically?
A: This past basketball season, I left midway through when I could have made the All-Monroe County team, so I feel I need to really stick it out and make that team and hopefully for football too. Track, I hope I can make regionals.
Q: What are your personal dreams?
A: I’ve always wanted to play in the NBA.
Q: What has been your best high school sports moment?
A: In my junior season, we were tied 58-58, and we were on defense, but I knew the play they were drawing up because it was something similar to what we had been running. When I noticed it, I called to my teammates to switch it off, which we did, and I was able to pick the ball off and go down and score the game-winner.
Q: Any coaches, teachers, or family members who have helped you reach this point?
A: There’s a lot, coach Dex (Butler), Tony (McLeod), really the whole staff for taking a chance on me because, in middle school, I sucked. By ninth grade, I put in some work to get where I am now.
Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of Conchs?
A: Be confident.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?
A: Even if you mess up, do it at full speed.
Q: Having invested so much time — physically, mentally, and emotionally — in your sports, how can you have proper closure during your senior year?
A: It’s sad to think about because I’ll miss playing all these sports. I’m going to have regrets, but what can I do.
Q: Anywhere in the world you want to visit?
A: Hawaii because in the movies and pictures, it looks so nice.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of sports?
A: No, all I have time for is sports.
Q: What are some challenges you’ve faced as a student-athlete?
A: Balancing my academics and sports, because I try to be a perfectionist and over achiever.
Q: If you could add one hour to your day, what would you do with it?
A: Study.
Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A: I want to play sports in college, hopefully, D-I, but this senior year I need to perfect my craft.
Q: If you have an opportunity to play a sport in college, no matter the size or location of the school, will you take it?
A: It would depend because I might take a chance to walk on at a bigger school.
Q: Is there any skill you feel you need to improve on to make it at the collegiate level?
A: Oh yeah, there’s a bunch I need to work on, nobody is perfect.
Q: What would you tell your college roommate about the Keys?
A: It’s small.
Q: On your first trip back home, what will be the meal you ask for?
A: My mom makes some pretty good rice and chicken, I ain’t gonna lie.
Q: Do you have any career aspirations?
A: Probably real estate agent, because I’ve seen what it is on social media and it seems like something I could do.
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