The Basketball Interview with JaVonni Bickham
Denver committed power forward JaVonni Bickham of Minnehaha Academy completed The Basketball Interview on Monday giving Prep Hoops some great responses.
At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game?
JB: On game days I’m usually really excited. School being school kind of takes my excited down. Later on in the day I would take a nap in the health room.
Who is the toughest player you can recall playing against in Minnesota Basketball and why?
JB: At the University of Minnesota camp a couple years ago I played against Rochester John Marshall. The Hurt brothers were tough. It was like every shot they put up went it. Michael, he worked really hard on both ends.
Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable?
JB: I think it was St Croix Lutheran. We all knew each other on the team and all players are very competitive. Their crowd hated us. The game was physically and everyone worked to get the win
Who is your favorite player in the world and why?
JB: My favorite player in the world would have to be Kobe. Kobe is a workhorse and has a passion for the game you don’t see in a lot of people. He works to be the best. For me I usually wear a lot of Nike and Jordan gear.
All basketball players love gear. What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to?
JB: I think Nike and Jordan have the best quality and comfortable gear. I started wearing UA gear because I played on the UA Circuit.
What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in?
JB: My favorite venue I ever played in would have to be the Target Center. With all the lights and the court is perfect. I like its springs.
What court that you haven’t played on would you dream of playing on?
JB: My dream court to play on would have to be the Terminal 23 Jordan court.
Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players.
JB: A lot of the players on my Varsity team have played with me since I was in 5th grade so I know them really well. The others, it was fun to build a relationship with them and meet new people. We are all a family and me being the oldest I have to kind of play the big brother role. Nobody is let out of anything and I will never let anyone mess with my brothers. We all fight together.
Best coaching advice you’ve received is what and who is it from?
JB: When I was in 6th grade I was a really religious person . My coach Larry Suggs kept telling me to put the back up after I got a rebound under the basket. I never did it until he one day he said “JaVonni, God told me to tell you to put the ball back up” and ever since then I’ve always have.
Who is your basketball influence?
JB: My basketball influence would have to come from my mom. She works hard for our family. She goes through a lot to make sure we are all good. She doesn’t show a lot of emotion of how she is feeling. If it’s bad I wouldn’t know because she is so positive about me becoming a better man and player. I want to play for my family and especially for her. Basketball is bigger than just me.