The Basketball Interview…. with Dejay Fykstra
At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game?
“I would say that the best part about game day is in the locker room listening to music getting ready for the game with you teammates. Everyone is hype and ready to play and your heart will just race. I love that feeling.”
Who is the toughest player you can recall playing against in South Dakota basketball and why?
“I would have to say Ty Hoglund. The man could shoot from anywhere and then the next play he dribbled right by you and made a floater in the lane. He was just a scoring threat.”
Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable?
“That is a tough one. Dells and Madison are about equal. We always had to play them to go to state. The student sections would go at it. The players always got after it. The game usually got pretty physical. Those are the games you look forward to during the season though.”
Who is your favorite basketball player in the world and why?
“Russell Westbrook, this man just hates the rim. He is the most explosive and will dunk the ball as hard as he can. Westbrook also does everything on the court. Score, passes, and gets rebounds like no other guard in the league.”
All basketball players love gear. What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to?
“I’m just a Nike guy.”
What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in?
“2016 in the Elmen Center for the regional Championship. The place was packed and the crowd was so loud. It was the best place I have ever played in and I don’t know if it will be topped.”
Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players?
“I love when the younger kids come to the games. I know they just can’t wait to play at night in front of everyone. And after the game they will come and tell us a good job and I’ll ask them how there games went and you will give them a high five. They want to be like us and in a couple years they will and the cycle continues.”
Best coaching advice you’ve received is what and who was it from?
“Count on Me”- Coach Schouten
Who is your basketball influence?
“My dad. My dad has made me work for where I am today. He was always willing to come rebound for me and tell me what I did wrong that even if I didn’t want to hear it. I strive to be like him.”