Question and Answer: Alante Coward (2018)
Detroit Cornerstone is having a pretty good season, and a lot of that has to do with Alante Coward. Before tearing his meniscus, he was averaging 23 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He’s an underrated player that makes everyone on the court better. I had the chance to ask him some questions about the season, his game and life outside of basketball.
What would you say the strengths of your game are?
“The strengths of my game are my high level of IQ and the ability to make others around me better. I am a floor general and perform highly in pressure situations. I think my ability to beat defenders off my first move is my best quality. I am a team player who is very coachable.”
What are some things you are still working on and what are you doing to improve those aspects of your game?
“I am still working on having a consistent jump shot. Everyday I’m in the gym practicing the same form and follow through until I’m doing it as an involuntary motion. Also, I’m working on being a better leader to my underclassmen on the team, because they understand how to play basketball, but don’t know the key factors of playing it.”
What do you see yourself doing after basketball?
“After basketball, I see myself being the owner of a real estate firm. My father was a real estate agent, so I learned the business from him.”
Which players do you like to watch and mold your game after? Why?
“I study Damian Lillard’s game because he is poised and underrated in the league amongst guards but continues to show his grind and finesse in his craft.”
What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
“My favorite subject in school is math. Unlike many, math comes easy to me and that’s why I’m pursuing accounting in college.”
What goals have you set for your team and for yourself this year?
“This year we only had three seniors and the third senior is a transfer player, so basically our team is new. Coming into the season with more freshmen and sophomores than juniors and seniors on a varsity team, I knew it would be a tough season. My goal was to stay above .500 and to show my team how fun the game of basketball is when a team can bond and work together. My goal my senior year was to gain D1 scholarships while playing the right way with my team instead of just focusing on my stats. I’ve always been a player who loves to see my team shine because that makes me play better when everybody is contributing to the game.”
Who is the toughest player you’ve had to guard and what made them so difficult to defend?
“The toughest player I had to defend was my former teammate Davion Bradford. I am a good defender because I can predict a ball handler’s next move very easily and my aggressiveness. Davion and I used to go head to head in practice everyday, and I learned valuable things about basketball in his game. He used to be so tough to guard because he had a size up move that he perfected and he was strong with the ball.”
What is the toughest environment you’ve had to play in?
“Honestly, I don’t have one. Of course there have been tough environments to play in, but none of them were irregular to play in because I’m accustomed to it. I’ve learned to block the intensity of the crowd out and play the game that I love playing.”
What motivates you to get better?
“I motivate myself to get better because I am determined not to be another player that was good but didn’t become successful. Every day I find out better ways on how great I can be by perfecting my craft and learning more about basketball. I will not become a bad statistic because I’m striving to become an illustrious statistic.”
What do you like to do outside of basketball?
“Rather than going out and having fun, I enjoy relaxing in bed all day. I also like to read interesting books.”
If you could play with any other player in the country, who would it be and why?
“I would play with LeBron James because he demonstrates dominance in basketball. He illustrates leadership, skill, work ethic, hard work and a winning mentality. Basketball is played to win and LeBron shows that anywhere he goes he can win. I would love to bring my talents and collaborate with a winner.”
Who is your role model or hero? Why?
“Cormonique and Bobby Coward. My parents are my heroes because they have supported me in basketball and football my whole life. My mom is very interactive at the games, which she shows on the sidelines. They have been to almost all of my games, and they are the reason I put my passion into basketball so that we can live comfortably in life.”