The UT Martin sports website has a roster for all teams at the school. When we want to learn more about a player, we click their picture, and we can see a player bio. The bio is quite simple, including experience, name, family and past school. Yet, what that bio does not cover is the reason they play the sport they play: their why.
Now that the season has come to a close, below is a deeper dive into why some of the players on the Men’s Basketball team play.
#2 KJ Simon’s Why
“Over the time of playing basketball, you get a lot of reason for you to keep playing because by the time you get close to the end of your college career, you get to start seeing that the game of basketball is more a business than a sport. So you have to really love it to stay and push yourself to get better every day. I have a lot of reasons I play. I think the most recent why that I can think of every day is my cousin that passed away from COVID shortly before coming to UT Martin. I pride myself every day on going hard and trying to make something out of me playing this game of basketball because she was the loudest on the stands every time she got to watch me, and I know it will make her proud to see how far basketball can take me.“
#3 Mikel Henderson’s Why
“I used to always watch the Lakers and Kobe Bryant play, especially during the finals. It really made me love the game. When I was in kindergarten, I signed up for after-school basketball, and my brother started training and has been ever since.
Why do I still play? Because I really love the sport, and it’s given me opportunities that I could have never gotten without the sport. I’ve also met a lot of great people and most importantly trying to establish a way for my family when this basketball thing is over.”
#5 Chris Nix’s Why
“I play basketball because it is a way for me to get a free education. My mom is the only one that has graduated college in my family, and I want to be the next in line to do so.”
#12 David Didenko’s Why
“The reason why I play basketball is because I love the game. I enjoy playing sports in general, but basketball is by far my favorite activity. Anything to do with athletics gets me hyped up in the morning. I enjoy being in the gym, grinding everyday. I believe that grind will pay off one day and help me provide for my family.”
#15 Phillip Hughes’s Why
“My dad is the one who introduced me to basketball, and we really bonded over it. At first it was just a hobby and something I enjoyed because it was entertaining. We played it in my neighborhood, but the older guys were all better than me, which is a big reason I kept playing it and trying to get better. It wasn’t until 9th grade that I really fell in love with it. In 10th grade, we lost in the semi-finals and got put out for the season… after that, I became obsessed. Basketball was all I really did in my free time outside of school, and it became a priority over everything. It was all I thought about, and all I wanted was to win that end-of-the-year tournament. We ended up losing it again my junior year, which fueled the fire even more. Fortunately, my senior year we won this tournament, and I knew that I wanted to play in college. Although I had all these short-term goals in high school… playing Division 1 college basketball had been a long-term goal since I was a kid. To answer the question… I have three ‘why’s.’
1. I love to compete.
In some weird way, I turn everything into a game and try to win. Basketball keeps you on your toes and great competition. It’s a sport where if you outwork and out prepare… you will usually win.
2. So my parents wouldn’t have to pay for college.
It is not comparable at all, but this was just a personal goal to give back for all they have done for me.
3. So many people were saying I’m wasting my time and that I couldn’t do it.
I know what I’m capable of and don’t care what others think. Doubts about my size, strength, athleticism, race and even where are all just motivational factors. I wanted less to prove them wrong, but more just to prove to myself that I could.”
#20 Josiah Morris’s Why
“My why would have to start back when I first started playing basketball. The first time I picked up a basketball, I just instantly fell in love, and I remember that love for the game just driving me to be constantly in the gym and working on my game. I couldn’t get enough of basketball, and I instantly knew I wanted to play basketball at the highest level possible. It was like a mission for me; everything I did was for the game. Another reason is my family and everything they have done for me. My dad and mom sacrificed a lot for me to play all the basketball I have, and I want to give back to them. Lord willing, I can play professional basketball, and I want to give back to them all they gave for me. I want to care and provide for them just like they did for me. Lastly, my main reason for playing basketball is God. Everything I do in life is to bring God glory. I am far from perfect and fail all the time, but that’s what being a Christian is like. God has given me all the gifts and opportunities I have got. So every time I play, I play to glorify God and give Him the praise of blessing me with all these gifts and opportunities.”
______________________________________________________________________________
These men play for a reason, but each of their reasons are unique to them. The “why” is what drives players to compete. The “why” makes them more than just a jersey number. The “why” is what separates players from each other, but what brings everyone together to give them a team “why.”
