“My father killed before I was born The NBA?” Kobe left a mark on me “

the interview

Baltimore is a word that can evoke several meanings. X Factor aficionados will recognize you as the winner of the 2021 edition, while history buffs will remember that Fort McHenry, the defensive stronghold of the city port, inspired the text of the American national anthem. This charming town, located on the east coast of the United States, has given birth to several celebrities: in the field of literature we remember Edgar Allan Poe and Tom Clancy, among the actors David Hasselhoff and Jada Pinkett Smith. And we can’t forget the legendary musician Frank Zappa, baseball champions Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken, nor the “swimming cannibal” Michael Phelps, winner of 23 Olympic gold medals. In Baltimore, on March 27, 1990, Henry Sims Jr., a 31-year-old center of Nutribullet, was also born, whose life was marked by a decidedly difficult beginning.

Baltimore was, and still is, one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. How has this affected your life?

“Extremely significantly. My father was killed in 1989 when my mother was pregnant with me. I’ve never met him. Unfortunately this is a sad norm in America and especially in Baltimore, where the crime rate is much higher than in other areas of the country, such as New York or Detroit. And so I initially grew up with my mother and my elder sister, then when my mother remarried she had another daughter. “

What was it like growing up without a father?

“Very difficult, but I must say that my mother didn’t miss anything. She gave her all for her children, and when I was six we moved from Baltimore to Columbus, also in Maryland, a short distance from where I was born. There the context was calmer, I grew up attending the local church where my mother was very active. My stepfather was also very attentive, unfortunately a heart attack took him away three years ago ».

It was in the oratory field that he discovered the ball in wedges.

«Yeah, actually very late compared to the average. I was already thirteen, I had tried other sports before, but it was on the pitch of the church that I discovered basketball, playing matches organized by friends. As they say, it was love at first sight, then I was tall, which didn’t hurt. “

After high school and college in Georgetown (the university that produced films like Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo, or a phenomenon like Allen Iverson), the doors of the NBA opened wide for her, first in New Orleans , then to Cleveland and Philadelphia.

“It was really exciting, the fulfillment of a dream. The NBA is the highest aspiration for a basketball player, you have to be great to be part of it, I was lucky enough to play there for four seasons, with very variable contracts. I also had ten days, in which I had to give my all to prove my worth. Surely the best season was in Philadelphia in 2014/2015 (he played 73 games, 32 as a starter, ed)».

In that year with her in the long section there were two not bad players: JaVale McGee (two rings at the Warriors and one at the Lakers, in addition to the Olympic gold in Tokyo) and a very young Joel Embiid, superstar of the Sixers.

«True, JaVale unfortunately was cut due to injury, but he was a very good friend to me. And he’s really crazy as seen on tv (laughs, ed). We worked a lot with Joel, we trained together, we often played one-on-one, we were very close. He was at the beginning of his career, I was a few years ahead and I was trying to give him some advice on how to behave, on and off the pitch. Was I a mentor to him? Perhaps it is exaggerated, I hope I have been of help to him ».

Who is the strongest opponent you have ever faced?

“Al Harrington, no doubt. Although he was advanced in years and at the end of his career, he was a physically very tough player, with a full range of movements, front and shoulders in the basket. It really made me crazy! ‘

What other champions you have faced have left an indelible mark on you?

“There are so many… Surely LeBron James, a force of nature. Russell Westbrook, an incredible player in terms of physique and mental attitude. Kevin Durant, with a practically unstoppable shot. But if I have to say one of them all, I say Kobe Bryant. I’ll tell you an anecdote, if I can. “

Tell us, we are curious.

«Kobe was in an impressive state of grace, coming from a series of games where he had scored forty or more points with disarming ease. In the match against us, coach Williams at one point decides to put a young freshman in marking on him, a guy who had a short contract. Kobe took it personally, went to the bench and looked at the coach saying: “Do you really want to put this kid to mark me?” First action, ball to Kobe, he started to get my feinting partner drunk, then he threw himself in, scored and was also fouled, then turned to Williams, glaring at him as if to say: “I told you!”. A champion ».

After the experience in the NBA (last stops in Brooklin and Salt Lake City), his career developed above all in Italy.

“Yes, and there is a very specific reason: I love your country. As a player, starting an experience outside the US was quite simple, I adapted my play style to the new context. But finding a country like Italy well… Here there is a culture, a way of life that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. And the people, those make a difference. Here they are all polite, pleasant, friendly, they help you with everything from difficulties with the language to finding points of reference. And then the food, guys! ».

What do you like in particular?

“I’m a big fan of gnocchi (one taste that he shares with Aaron Jones, the other long of TvB, ed) and then I love that mascarpone cream you prepare here, what’s it called… Tiramisu! ».

How do you relax outside the parquet?

“I listen to music, especially hip-hop and R&B, and I play videogames”.

What are your dreams for the future?

«It would be nice to be able to return to play in the NBA, or in any case to be able to continue playing at a high level for many years to come. I wish I could stay in the basketball scene and provide for my family’s needs in the future as well. I have a son who lives in Baltimore and I wish he didn’t miss anything. ‘ –

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