(Kevin Kadooka -- The Beacon)
By Joanna Goodwin, Staff Writer -- goodwin12@up.edu
Senior forward Luke Sikma has made his mark on UP as No. 1 all time in rebounds, among other accomplishments. This year's 1st Team All-WCC selection sits down with The Beacon to answer questions about his time at UP.
What is your major and what do you hope to do with it?
I am a marketing and management major, and I hope to use it in some aspect of sports-related business.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I'm hoping to continue playing basketball professionally overseas.
How did you hear about UP?
I first heard about UP when Coach Reveno started to recruit me during the summer before my senior year of high school.
How difficult is it to balance athletics and schoolwork?
My freshman year, learning to balance athletics and schoolwork was really tough, but I eventually learned how to manage my time and work hard in my classes to keep a good balance.
How has your father (who played 14 seasons in the NBA for the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks and was seven-time NBA All-Star) influenced you?
My dad's achievements in the NBA have really served as an inspiration. The success he had as a basketball player was a result of working hard and getting the most out of his abilities, which really motivated me to do the same in my basketball career.
Is there any pressure to perform at a higher level because of your father's success?
There is some pressure, but I don't try to be influenced by it. He has always encouraged me to be my own player and that's what I try to work on every day.
What is the rest of your family like? Do you have any siblings?
My family is made up of my mom, dad, two brothers, and myself. My older brother, Jake, graduated from Seattle University in 2008, and my younger brother, Nate, is a senior at Bellevue High School.
What is your favorite part about UP?
My favorite part about UP is the close knit community. Everybody knows everybody, and I've made a lot of close friends since I've been here.
How do you get along with the rest of the team?
Our team is really close. We all get along really well and like to joke around with each other. Whenever we're not playing basketball we're usually hanging out together.
What is the most memorable moment you have with the team, on and off the court?
On the court, my favorite memory is probably our run to the championship game at the 76 Classic in Anaheim last year. Off the court, it was our trip to Australia two years ago when we played four games in Sydney and Cairns.
What advice would you give to your teammates after you leave UP?
My biggest piece of advice to my teammates is to enjoy every minute of your college career because it'll be over before you know it.
How have you been challenged these past four years, inside and outside of basketball?
There's been a number of challenges like balancing school and sports, adjusting to living on my own, and learning to handle both losing and success. I think they've all made me a better person in the end.
