Q&A with Eric Carey – University of Minnesota Athletics

Men’s Basketball | 6/12/2020 10:36:00 AM

Eric Carey He returned for his first year in Little Red Riding Hood after suffering a knee injury at the end of the season last year. Curry was voted by his peers as one of the team leaders this year and is currently working on his MA in Youth Development Leadership. We met up with Memphis, Tennessee, who is a native when the season begins.

How did it feel to be back on the field after a long layoff and what have you been through?
It was a blessing to be able to play basketball, the game I love. After getting there with the guys, I was enjoying my moment and feeling grateful.

You are a captain on this team, you’ve been around for a long time and have experience with two NCAA teams. How can you help this team of six newcomers with your leadership and role as a leader?
I tell them my experiences and what to expect, especially with the new front court men we’ve come with Liam (Robins) and Brandon (Johnson). I have been helping with the experience I have had and watched throughout this league. Tell them what it is, what we need to work on and what we need to do as senior members of this team.

There is a lot of depth in this team. How can this help when the Big Ten season begins?
When one of them is in bad trouble or not playing well, the next guy can come forward. I think this always helps in a deep team, only having so many players who can go there and not let go of the talents. We can’t count on one person, which is huge for a successful team.

You have obtained your degree and are now working on a masters degree. What does it mean to get your degree?
It’s a blessing, especially with all the injuries I’ve had. I can refer to that, my plan B. My mom has taught me all my life that I should have Plan B if Plan A doesn’t work. I think this degree helps a lot and you get two now.

How important your mom is as a role model to you, especially during some times I think she’s been a little lonely in rehab.
It was huge. It’s hard to explain it because she’s been there through it all. She always keeps my head up and has never talked about negativity either. We have always focused on the positive and it will always be in my ear to keep me motivated. She’s been huge throughout this whole thing and I love her for it. I look at it in the way of not quitting smoking. She has never quit at anything in her life, and I want to do it for her.

I know Madden and video games are some of your hobbies and what you love to do. How are you? Good Can you deal with anyone?
I don’t want to brag about myself, but I’d say I’m pretty good. I am proud of Madden and I am a great footballer. Football is equal to basketball in my knowledge of it. Yes, I am very good at Madden.

During the quarantine over the past several months, have you picked up any other new hobbies or have you continued working on video games?
Just video games. I don’t like being around too many people, which is helpful in a pandemic. I just played a lot of video games and got cold at home.

If you could have dinner with any three people, who would it be?
I’ll choose LeBron James, Drake, and Reggie Bush. When I was younger, before I started playing basketball, I was a soccer player. Growing up, I played jogging when I was really young. Just watching Reggie in USC was incredible because every time he touched the ball he was a touchdown. Being a kid that looked up to and was doing these kinds of things, I always wanted to do it too. He always inspired me from an early age.

Do you have a favorite place basketball has taken?
I would say the trip to Italy. That was a good trip. I hadn’t been out of the country before before that trip so just getting that experience in a new place and new environment was fun. It wasn’t fun when I was there because it was so different and I was ready to go home, but it was great looking back on the trip.