By RAUL GARCIA JR | The Progreso Gazette
The Progreso Gazette caught up with Sophomore Forward Ivan Rodriguez to ask him about the basketball season and his game. Here’s what he had to say in the Meet the Red Ants Q&A:
Q: Tell us when you knew you wanted to be a varsity basketball player, and why?
A: In 8th grade I always dreamed of making the varsity team in highschool, didn’t make it my freshman year, but I worked hard to make the team the next year and thanks to God I did and my hard work did pay off. I was proud of that and there’s still more to achieve.
Q: What is your fondest memory of your experience on the team this season?
A: I still don’t have one, but I know I will have something to remember.
Q: How excited are you about being a member of the basketball team?
A: I am super excited, really proud of myself for making the team, as sophomore I am really impressed.
Q: What did you do this summer to improve your game to get ready for this season?
A: I practiced on my shots from the 3 point line to mid range to layups, and my free throws. I also practiced a lot on my handles and new moves, I practiced doing fade aways I am still practicing, getting better at them actually and I also tried improving on my shooting form. I believe I did change it to a way better form. I worked out on my condition, I would go to the park with my Dad once a week when we could go and mostly we did end up going we would take a day or two days off and then start again, I would run like 5 laps at the Weslaco Park. I also did work on my strength conditioning at home like push ups and weightlifting.
Q: Who has influenced your play style the most?
A: I like watching LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Edwards, and many more too, but those are the main ones. I practice their moves and stuff mostly Kyrie’s handles and lay ups ways to go in, and for Anthony Edwards well his abilities like the dunking and aggression, and LeBron.
Q: Who is your favorite professional basketball player?
A: LeBron James
Q: Who is the greatest basketball player of all time?
A: Easy question that’s me of course, but actually it’s LeBron James he’s the real G.O.A.T .
Q: What drew you to play basketball over other sports?
A: Basketball is really my thing, I fell in love with the sport, basketball is so fun and a lot of amazing things can happen, there’s no other sport better than basketball.
Q: What aspect of your game comes easy to you?
A: When I’m really focused and so confident just on the game, when I feel pumped up it boosts my confidence up, for example when I make a shot and I feel proud of it and then go to defense and lock in and force a turnover. That’s when it starts coming easy for me.
Q: What advice has the coach given you that you will always remember?
A: An advice the coach has given me is, and I already knew it before he said it as well that,”if you don’t put in work you’ll never be great” and, “nothing is given everything is earned,” my coach has also said that before, and I also heard it from LeBron and other stars.
Q: If you could play any basketball player 1v1 who would it be?
A: I would love to 1v1 LeBron James.
Q: Is there a particular significance to your jersey number?
A: 23 I always thought that number was special in a way for basketball, since Michael Jordan wore it and LeBron James wears it and well I believe that, that number every great basketball player wears it and that’s the reason I wear it.
Q: What is the worst practice you have ever endured?
A: The worst practice might be when I got injured my freshman year, I didn’t show that I was hurt but I still practiced through it, it did hurt and well after that practice I went home and told my parents and they took me to the doctor the next day and I was out for 2 weeks due to my left knee an inflammation something like that. But yeah that was one of the worst ones.
Q: What tips would you give to someone going out for basketball?
A: A tip I would give to someone is, never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, and just give it some time, practice and show them you can do it. Don’t say it just prove it all in the court.
Q: What team is considered your biggest rival, and why?
A: My biggest rival is Santa Rosa ever since I first went against them in 8th grade we lost against them and I took it personally. I remember tearing up in the locker room after a loss to Santa Rosa.
Q: What is your most memorable shot?
A: My most memorable shot is a in paint shot that I made with like 3 people on me and it was an and 1 and I ended up making it. I don’t remember what team it was against but I do remember it was in jv in my freshman year.
Q: What is your favorite game day hype song?
A: I like listening to soak city, EA, crazy story,TESLA, Nonstop, Jimmy cooks and way more, but also any lil baby song.
Q: Who would you pick as your all time greatest starting five?
PG: Kyrie Irving, SG: Kobe Bryant, SF: LeBron James, PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, C: Shaquille O’Neil.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: My favorite food is spaghetti
Q: What is your favorite classroom subject?
A: My favorite subject I have to go with science
Q: Who is your favorite college basketball team?
A: I’ma go with Duke Blue Devils
