Kevin Bailey (Ian Hilger | The Beacon)
By Bruce Garlinghouse, Staff Writer -- garlingh13@up.edu
I met with freshman guard Kevin Bailey to talk to the school's first ESPN top 100 recruit about why he chose the University of Portland and how he would survive on a desert island.
Q: Out of all the schools that recruited you, why did you choose UP?
A: I didn't want to wait behind older guys. I wanted to make an impact when I came. They had a young team here, and I felt like they had all the pieces to do something special.
Q: You are the first ESPN top 100 recruit to come to UP. Did you feel pressure to perform immediately?
A: I knew I was going have it. It wasn't like it was new. I knew people were going to expect me to do big things, and I wanted to do that.
Q: If you were stuck on an island with one teammate, who would it be and why?
A: If I had to pick it would probably be one of the seniors. Probably Nem because I feel like he would know how to live on the island. If I took one of the freshman we would both die. He is older and wiser. I feel like he would know how to make food out of plants or how to fish.
Q: Aside from playing basketball, what is your favorite thing to do in Portland or UP?
A: I like to relax and hang out. There is close community here that I like. I like to go out and do a movie, have fun and hang out with other friends
Q: If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?
A: Kobe. I would want to pick his brain. I would be fascinated. If I wasn't too star struck I would ask him a million questions.
Q: Not having the most successful year, what should Pilot fans be looking forward to next season?
A: Just tons of improvement. The fans understand how young we are. Coming in, I am trying to make a big impact. Tim (Douglas) and other starters were still trying to figure it out. Nem and Eric had to figure out how to play with us. Next year we have a young group coming up and we're going to be so much better.
Q: If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
A: The warmest place. Always wanted to be in Australia. I love warm weather.
Q: You're dating teammate Riley Barker's sister, was there an arm wrestling contest or something of that nature involved in order to receive approval from big bro?
A: I guess. He wouldn't let me until we got a win so I guess I can thank Santa Clara for that.
Q: Who is your favorite NBA player and why?
A: Kobe. I'm with the Kobe system. I think he is the greatest. His game is smooth and he has no fear. I think Kobe is better than Jordan. People who have lived through Jordan era saw young MJ but I watched old Jordan. I watched Kobe growing up and I'm definitely in the Kobe system.
Q: What is in your opinion the best basketball shoe and why?
A: Nike Hyperdunk. I haven't tried the D-Rose, and I heard they're lighter. But the Hyperdunks are lightest shoes I have ever had. You feel like there is no weight on you.
