By Elizabeth Contreras
VYPE: What first drew you to basketball, and how long have you been playing?
Lukus Watts: I have been playing basketball for 4 years. I am a very competitive player, and I feel like what drew me toward the game was the satisfying feeling of making a basket. There is no better feeling.
VYPE: What do you take the most pride in on the court?
LW: I take the most pride in trying to be a good teammate and keeping everyone positive.
VYPE: What’s going through your head right before tip-off?
LW: I like to think of my family and how I try to make them proud every game.
VYPE: Every athlete faces adversity. What’s been a challenge you’ve had to push through, and what did it teach you?
LW: I have always struggled with ankle injuries. The way I learned from it and got through it is I started doing ankle exercises before every game, and I learned that taking care of your body is a very important part of anything in life.
VYPE: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a player or person?
LW: I would say my dad. He is always here for me and when I first started playing, he would always take me to the park and help me get better at the sport I love.
VYPE: What’s a moment in your basketball career that felt like everything “clicked” for you?
LW: The moment when I got my varsity jersey for high school. It was one of my biggest achievements.
VYPE: What makes your team different from others — what’s the identity or culture you’ve built?
LW: The thing that makes our team different is we will never give up. We will always keep each other ready, and I would say I build positivity and trust between teammates.
VYPE: Who is a teammate that deserves more recognition?
LW: I would say someone that deserves more recognition is Isaiah, No. 3 for our team. He is a point guard, and he is a really good playmaker.
VYPE: When people watch you play, what do you hope they notice about you?
LW: I hope they notice good sportsmanship and passion for the game.
