The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Exclusive interview Special for the quill
- by Evan Bell, age 11
This July, Kyle Korver, Philadelphia 76er's Forward played in the YMCA-Capital City Men's Basketball League in West Des Moines, Iowa.
The league involves players from Drake, Iowa State, UNI, Grinnell, Simpson, Creighton, St. Ambrose, Minnesota State, Loras, Central, DMACC, and several area high schools.
Since they had drafted Klayton Korver, a Junior from Drake, they also got Kyle, and younger brother Kaleb, who will be a senior at Pella High this year. (There is one more brother, Kirk, a Sophomore at Pella High this year.)
They were fun, fast-paced games to watch, with some exciting basketball playing. I had the chance to talk to Kyle after the championship game on Sunday, July 16. (When TV reporters were finished, Kyle stayed to give Evan his interview for The Quill).
EB - So, Kyle, growing up, who was your favorite player?
KK - David Robinson of the Lakers. (Kyle was born in California)
EB- Did you ever expect to be in the NBA?
KK - Yes, it was my goal through life.
EB- How old were you when you started playing team basketball?
KK - I was in the 3rd grade.
EB- Are you like AI, (Allen Iverson, 76er's Guard) do you have any tattoos?
KK - (laughing) No, my mom wouldn't let me get one!
(At this point in our interview, we are interrupted by a grandpa with a handful of Kyle Korver trading cards, asking Kyle to sign them for his grandsons.)
GRANDPA - Allen has enough for you and him!
KK - Allen has enough for the whole team!
EB- But do you plan on getting any?
KK - I'm thinking about it, I'd have to get it where my mom wouldn't see it, though!
EB- Do you mind people always asking you for your autograph and pictures?
KK - No, I remember always trying to get them when I was younger.
EB - How many hours a day do you practice basketball?
KK - On season, 3-5 hours, off season, 3-5 hours a day.
EB- If you weren't in the NBA, what would you do?
KK- I'd want to coach. (Kyle majored in Graphic Design at Creighton College.)
EB- What is your most embarrassing moment?
KK- When I missed a dunk in college. I was too scared to try to dunk again during my college career. When I finally dunked one in the NBA, everyone was surprised cause no one thought I could dunk. It was a good feeling knowing I finally did it!
EB- Have you ever outscored your Mom? (Mom Laine once scored 74 points in a high School game.)
KK- No, probably never will. She'll hold the family record!
EB- What's the most points you've scored in a game?
KK- 56, in an AAU game against Hoover High. (Has an NBA career-high 31 points.)
EB- What's the best thing about being in the NBA?
KK - I'm living a dream!
EB- What's the worst thing about being in the NBA?
KK - I never get to stay home.
EB- Have you ever played yourself in NBA Live?
KK - (laughing) Yea, but I always lose! I'm not very good at that game. I always make Myself shoot every shot I can.
EB- How did you like playing with Klayton and Kaleb?
KK - Great, only thing better would be to play with Kirk, too.
EB- Do you think they'll make the NBA draft, too?
KK - It is their goal!
EB- Were you happy with your Bobble-head?
KK - No, I thought it was freaky, I just wanted a normal one. (Kyle's bobble-head came With life-like Kyle Korver hair, I think it's unique and cool!)
EB- Ever meet MJ? (Bulls great Michael Jordan)
KK- Yea, at the NBA All-Star Week-end, I was going to the bathroom, and MJ stopped me and gave me the hand shake-hug and said "Hey, KK, what's up?" It was like sweet, he knows my name!
EB- Describe yourself in one word.
KK- KORVER-It can be broken down into so many pieces!
It was a great time getting to interview an NBA Star. It was so cool! I want to thank Kyle for talking to me after the game. He started playing at 5:30, and the championship game wasn't over til 10:30, and his family left to go to B-bops for supper, but Kyle wasn't in any hurry . It was just an interview with an 11 year old boy, but it could have been Sport's Illustrated the way he took his time and answered every question I had. I hope he enjoyed the time he had with his family this summer, and we will be cheering for Kyle Korver and the 76er's this season!
You may contact the writer with questions or comments at evanb103@hotmail.com
(Evan Bell will be a 6th grader at Pella Middle School. He plays tackle football with the Marshalltown Football League, AAU Basketball, and Little League Baseball. In his spare time he enjoys riding his dirt bike with his brother Dylan. His parents are Brian and Julie Meloan Bell formerly of Stronghurst.)
Cassidy and Dylan Bell watch younger brother, Evan, interview the Philadelphia 76'er star forward Kyle Korver.