How did you end up attending Miami Dade?

“Out of high school I didn’t qualify for the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements to attend a division-1 school. Throughout the process of transitioning from high school to college I spoke to my high school coach and he gave me a couple of names of junior colleges that were well renowned that he knew about. After talking to a couple of them, I felt the best fit was Miami Dade College.”

What did your path to the NBA consist of?

“It was a long path, I had to go through many obstacles. After high school I went to Miami Dade College, then transferred to Iowa Western Community College, then played for the University of Rhode Island, and then I played almost two years in the NBA Development League. Towards the end of my second season in the D-league I was called up by the Memphis.”

In terms of basketball how different is the NBA from junior college, and division-1?

“It’s more professional. You have to understand what your teammates, and coaching staff wants from you on the court. The pace of the game, and spacing on the court is different. Just small things like that.”

What would you tell young athletes who are striving to play in the NBA?

“If that’s your dream you have to keep the dream alive no matter the obstacles or hurdles that you may face. It’s all on you. You have to work hard, and you can’t get discouraged throughout the process. You have to basically just trust the process, and keep on working.”

When training what are some things that you do now that are keys to your success?

“Right now, towards the end of the season, I do not lift a lot. I focus more on skill-work, I get a lot of shots up, and do a lot of ball handling so I can keep my game polished. “

What would be your greatest achievement throughout your journey?

“It would be great to advance deep into the playoffs this year, but we have to keep on working at it. I also want to be on a roster for next season. And the next two years.”

What is one thing that you have taken with you from each level of basketball?

“Each level I have gained experience, and elevated my game to a different level. I understand what I have to do to become successful. After Ju-Co, I knew that I could score, so I had to carry that confidence over to division-1, and then professional ball.”

Did you have a moment yet while playing in the playoffs where you just sat back and thought “Wow I’m in the NBA Playoffs”?

“I really didn’t have that moment yet I’ve only played in a couple of games. The jittery moments aren’t an issue anymore. Now I’m only focused on getting a win and helping my team in the best way possible. But when I did play in my first NBA game, that’s when I sat back and realized wow I’m in the NBA. Guys that I watched growing up are out on the court, like Kobe Bryant.”

What is the best advice that you have gotten from someone in the NBA?

“I have a lot of good veteran players on my team like Vince Carter and Zach Randolph. They just tell me to be myself. I made it this far being myself so I have to continue to be myself, remain confident in my game and trust the work that I put in.”

What is it like being on a team with future NBA hall of famer Vince Carter, and listening to the advice that he gives in the locker room?

“It gives me a lot of confidence. Someone who is a legend that I watched growing up is giving me advice on the court. That’s my teammate, that’s someone I’m going to war with. That just gives me the ultimate confidence that Vince Carter and the other guys are behind me.”

shaheem.sutherland@yahoo.com