Q&A: Deondre Bonaparte (2019)
Photo courtesy of: Deondre Bonaparte
Deondre Bonaparte is an electric playmaker that gets his teammates involved and can really score the ball. He averaged 19.2 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals per game, while shooting 87 percent from the free throw line and 47 percent from deep. He transferred to Ecorse after playing last season with Ferndale. Get to know him a little better in this Q & A.
What are the strengths of your game and what are you still working on?
“The strengths to my game are getting to the basket, finishing with both hands, pulling up for the mid range jump shot, getting my teammates easy baskets and making them better, beating my man off the dribble, shooting the three off the bounce and catch and shoot and playing full court defense I like the most because I can get in my opponents head. My weaknesses I’m working on are my footwork and being able to explode out of my stance to be able to rise over my defender.”
Who are some guys you like to mold your game after? Why?
“Some players I mold my game after are Kyrie Irving because of his handling and how he gets his defenders on their heels. Kemba Walker with his pull up jump shot. Russell Westbrook with his explosiveness and just that no one is stopping me type attitude.”
What do you see yourself doing after basketball?
“I see myself going into being a professional referee and going into business.”
Who is the toughest player you’ve had to guard and what made him so difficult to defend?
“I don’t remember his name, but he was a good guard. He had all the mechanics.”
What is the toughest environment you’ve had to play in?
“The toughest environment I had to play in was in Chicago.”
What motivates you to get better?
“My uncle that passed away motivates me to get better and better everyday.”
Who is your hero or role model? Why?
“My role model/hero was my uncle. He was like my second dad. He was always there for me, and he kept me in the gym at all times.”
What do you like to do outside of basketball?
“Outside of playing basketball, I am a junior official referee.”
If you could play with any other player in the country, who would it be and why?
“I would want to play with Foster Loyer because of his style of play. He likes to get his team involved.”
What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
“My favorite subject in school is psychology, because I can know the brain and how and why people react to certain things.”
What would you like college coaches to know about you that they might not be able to see by just watching film?
“I want college coaches to know that I’m a GO GETTER, which means I’m going to do whatever it takes to get a win, and that I’m that one hype player who likes to get the team hype and ready for the game.”
How would you describe your style of play?
“My style of game is a medium pace. I’m not going to let my defender speed up my game or rush anything.”
Basketball wise, what goals have you set for yourself?
“My goals for basketball are to be one of the top ranked players in the country and state and win Mr. Basketball.”