Q:: Three things I can't live without...
A:: God. Family. Friends.
Q:: Why I chose Stony Brook University...
A:: Stony Brook is such a great academic institution. It has such an amazing educational prestige and when I earn my degree from Stony Brook, it will open so many doors for me in New York, in the United, States, and around the world back home in South Africa.
Q:: Favorite class and why...
A:: Sociology. I loved this class because it taught us about relationships with a sociological perspective. The teacher used a lot of teaching techniques to show different examples of how society plays a large part in how people perceive their own relationships and also how they feel about others around them.
Q:: One thing I have learned at Stony Brook that I will carry with me for the rest of my life is...
A:: The most important thing I have learned at Stony Brook is the importance of mental toughness. There can be a lot of times in a collegiate student-athlete’s life when the going gets tough, and the ability to remain mentally strong is key to success. I use this now in college, but I know that there will also be times years down the road that I will face adversity in my life ? it’s the mental toughness that I learned while at Stony Brook that will help me in the future.
Q:: Other than playing in the NBA, my dream job is...
A:: I plan on becoming a doctor, hopefully a family practitioner.
Q:: Other than my parents, the person who has had the most influence on me is and why...
A:: The person who has had the most influence on me is Coach Pikiell. He has such a great vision for Stony Brook Athletics and the men’s basketball program. He always has an optimistic view on things but pushes us to work harder and to always give 100%. He taught me mental toughness and how to become a better student, athlete, and man every day. I look to Coach Pikiell as someone I hope to be one day ? a great man, a great father, a great husband, and a great coach.
Q:: The best thing about being a Stony Brook Seawolf is...
A:: The best thing about being a Stony Brook Seawolf is that you are not just a student-athlete, you are part of the bigger Stony Brook Athletics family. The Athletic Director and everyone who works here really cares about us as people.
Q:: Most memorable moment as an athlete...
A:: My most memorable moment as a student-athlete was when we beat Penn State at Penn State. No one thought that we were going to beat them and it was such a great feeling to go there, play well, and beat a Big 10 team. We pulled together as a team and won.
Q:: What I did this week as a student...
A:: Last week was an abnormal week because we still don’t start classes for the spring yet so we’re just here playing basketball.
Q:: What I did this week as an athlete...
A:: We had three games which made for a busy time. We played Binghamton at home and won so that was a great Tuesday. Then we practiced Wednesday, and Thursday, and then left on Friday to play Hartford. Road trips are always hard, but they are easier when we are not in classes. Normally if we were gone from campus from 4 days like we were when we played Hartford and Albany, we have study hall in the hotel so we can catch up on the reading and homework that we missed. This time though we had a lot of quiet time because we don’t have any homework. I did read a great book that inspired me when we weren’t watching game film or having practice. Unfortunately, we lost to Hartford and Albany so the bus ride back to campus was not very fun.
Q:: Based upon my experiences growing up, my advice for young kids about school and athletics is...
A:: You should participate in as many things as you can. Try a lot of things, music, sports, and most importantly, school. It is good to be disciplined in all sectors of life. My grandmother made sure that I was a hard worker and every day she pushed me to be a responsible young boy. What you do when you are young will help you when you are older.
Q:: Why I am looking forward to the America East Men’s Basketball Championship at Agganis Arena in Boston on March 2-4...
A:: I am most looking forward to the America East Championships because it will be a chance for Stony Brook to win it, then go onto the NCAA tournament and make history for Stony Brook University.