Interview with Coach Mike Conner and Lauren Crockett
Was there a defining moment where you know you were meant to play basketball?
The very first basketball league I joined I was required to go through a draft combine to see how I would perform. I looked around at all of the other kids and realized I was by far the tallest one around, at this moment I realized this was meant to be my sport.
What the most challenging aspect of Basketball training being 16, 6’6” and 197 lbs.?
The most challenging aspect of training is to work hard enough inside and out of the gym to become bigger, both in my upper and lower body. Due to my body growing rapidly and changing it is hard to add mass to my body to keep up. As a very tall athlete, working on my agility proves to be difficult as I am very tall and always working to keep up with the long legs.
Which players would you say you model your game off?
I model my game after Dirk Nowitzki as he uses his skill and intelligence instead of his just relying on his athletic ability. He is highly skilled, but has become an NBA All Star due to his mind. He is a very smart player, knows what moves work in situations and uses his height to his advantage giving him leverage in certain situations, rather than relying on how high he can jump or how fast he can run.
What are some of your pre game rituals?
I like to listen to country music like Luke Bryan or Jason Aldean before and during practice and right before the game starts. I also like doing some basic ball handling prior to the game starting. I palm the ball with my right hand to get a good feel for it.
You just turned 16 recently. Does it feel like you’ve aged exponentially this season going back to play Varsity?
No doubt, while the athletes are of a much higher caliber and moving much quicker, mentally, I have slowed the game down as I grow older and now I realize I belong with these other kids on the varsity level and can compete, as I am moving just as fast.
What is your role on Woodward’s varsity team? Do you play in any other Basketball leagues?
For the Woodward basketball team my role is a rebounder, shotblocker, and a passer from the low block. I play AAU during the Summer and my main role in this league and on this team is to be a pure floor general and be able to a little bit of everything. I help manage the game and direct the rest of the team.
How do you keep your body game ready?
Specifically on game days I make sure to drink 8 bottles of water and eat correctly including breakfast, lunch and multiple nutritious snacks through the day and prior to game time.
What do you do during the off-season?
Train train train and more training; I do conditioning at 7am then basketball drills from 8-10 then weights every other day in the middle of the day. I also can be found in the pool doing water strength and endurance conditioning. And I am always looking for a pick up game at places around town.
When the ball is in play are you good at staying in the moment?
Everyone has bad days, but usually I do my role each time the ball is in play and make sure to stay present and focused throughout the entire game.
Any memorable dunks?
Definitely my first dunk, in a pickup game in the summer going into ninth grade. I had been trying to dunk all that summer and at one point in the game I palmed the ball and dunked the ball, and it felt amazing.
What’s your wish once you graduate?
To leave a legacy at Woodward as a student athlete with a state championship who went on to play D1 basketball.
What is something that you carry in your gym bag that might surprise people?
It’s not that surprising but I carry an American flag bandana because I am very patriotic.
Is there a particular significance to your jersey number?
4 has just been my lucky number since kindergarten no specific reason I just love the number.
How do you stay motivated after losing a game?
The best players realize their mistakes and think about how they can be better, also helps to have a great team around you to motivate one another like I do at Woodward.
If you didn’t play basketball, what sport would you play and why?
I’d probably swim because of my length and long arms, plus my mom was an elite swimmer.
What kicks are you rocking on and off the court these days?
On the court I wear my customized Kyries that are white with a gold Nike sign and off the court I wear converse all stars or Nike Air Force 1.
Was there a defining moment where you know you were meant to play basketball?
The very first basketball league I joined was at the MJCCA which required me to go through a draft combine to see how I would perform. I looked around at all of the other kids and realized I was by far the tallest one around, at this moment I realized this was meant to be my sport.
What the most challenging aspect of Basketball training being 16, 6’6” and 197 lbs.?
The most challenging aspect of training is to work hard enough inside and out of the gym to become bigger, both in my upper and lower body. Due to my body growing rapidly and changing it is hard to add mass to my body to keep up. As a very tall athlete, working on my agility proves to be difficult as I am very tall, lanky and always working to keep up with the long legs.
Which players would you say you model your game off?
I model my game after Dirk Nowitzki as he uses his skill and intelligence instead of his just relying on his athletic ability. He is highly skilled, but has become an NBA All Star due to his mind. He is a very smart player, knows what moves work in situations and uses his height to his advantage giving him leverage in certain situations, rather than relying on how high he can jump or how fast he can run.
What are some of your pre-game rituals?
I like to listen to country music like luke Bryan or Jason Aldean before and during practice and right before the game starts. I also like doing some basic ball handling prior to the game starting to palm the ball with my right hand to get a good feel for it.
You just turned 16 recently. Does it feel like you’ve aged exponentially this season going from JV to Varsity?
No doubt, while the athletes are of a much higher caliber and moving much quicker, mentally, I have slowed the game down as I grow older and now I realize I belong with these other kids on the varsity level and can compete, as I am moving just as fast.
What is your role on Woodward’s varsity team? Do you play in any other Basketball leagues?
For the Woodward basketball team my role is a rebounder, shotblocker, and a passer from the low block. I play AAU during the Summer and my main role in this league and on this team is to be a pure floor general and be able to a little bit of everything. I help manage the game and direct the rest of the team.
How do you keep your body game ready?
Specifically on game days I make sure to drink 8 bottles of water and eat correctly including breakfast, lunch and multiple nutritious snacks through the day and prior to game time.
What do you do during the off-season?
Train train train and more training; I do conditioning at 7am then basketball drills from 8-9 then weights every other day in the middle of the day. I also can be found in the pool doing water strength and endurance conditioning.
When the ball is in play are you good at staying in the moment?
Everyone has bad days, but usually I do my role each time the ball is in play and make sure to stay poised and focused throughout the entire game.
Any memorable dunks?
Definitely my first dunk, in a pickup game in the summer going into ninth grade I had been trying to dunk all that summer and one pickup game at Lynwood park I palmed the ball and dunked the ball, and it felt amazing.
What’s your wish once you graduate?
To leave a legacy at Woodward as a consummate student athlete with a state championship who went on to play D1 basketball.
What is something that you carry in your gym bag that might surprise people?
It’s not that surprising but I carry an American flag bandana because I am very patriotic.
Is there a particular significance to your jersey number?
4 has just been my lucky number since kindergarten no specific reason I just love the number.
How do you stay motivated after losing a game?
The best players realize their mistakes and think about how they can be better, also helps to have a great team around you to motivate one another like I do at Woodward.
If you didn’t play basketball, what sport would you play and why?
I’d probably swim because of my length and long arms, plus my mom was an elite swimmer.
What kicks are you rocking on and off the court these days?
On the court I wear my customized Kyries that are white with a gold Nike sign and off the court I wear converse all stars or Nike air force 1 “just do it”
For more information on Jordan’s training nutritional strategy and exercise protocol contact Coach Mike Conner at coachmikeconner@gmail.com or call 404-358-3250.