Recently committed to the Colorado School of Mines to play college basketball, Will Essman, Bishop Kelley Senior and McDonald’s All-American nominee, reflected on his final high school season and is excited for the new challenges he will face in the future.
Vype: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Will: Teamwork and overcoming adversity
Vype: What or who inspired you to start playing basketball?
Will: My parents were the ones who signed me up for basketball and were the main reason on how I got introduced to basketball
Emma: What is your proudest basketball moment or achievement
Will: My proudest moment was when I committed to Colorado School of Mines to play basketball next year. All the work and dedication paid off.
Emma: Do you have any pregame rituals that you do before every game, If so what are they?
Will: I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every single game I play. I eat it right after I get my ankles taped.
Emma: What does teamwork mean to you, how do you encourage it with your teammates?
Will: Teamwork is very important to me and to the team as a whole. The team will definitely play better and be selfless if everyone is together working towards the same goal
Emma: Who is your favorite professional basketball player and why?
Will: My favorite basketball player is Lebron James because he is the greatest basketball player to ever play and he is so dominant out on the court every time he plays
Emma: What do you like to do to relax when you are not playing or practicing basketball?
Will: I like playing video games with my friends to relax outside of basketball and then I also enjoy hanging out with my friends on the weekend
Emma: Do you have a pregame hype song?
Will: I don’t listen to a lot of music. I listen to music sometimes but not enough to have a pregame song
Emma: What are you looking forward to most about playing college basketball?
I am excited about the upcoming challenge in the next portion of my life and to meet my new teammates, coaches, and classmates
Emma: As you are in your last season of basketball at Bishop Kelley, who has been your most influential coach?
Will: I have had very many influential coaches in my life and my basketball career, helping me with basketball but also helping me with becoming the person I am today. Coach Pohlman has been very influential and helpful to me not only in my basketball journey but helping me learn and grow as a young adult.
Emma: Do you have any shout outs?
Will: All my teammates who make basketball so fun, especially Connor Kelley
Interviewed by: Emma Chastain, Bishop Kelley Senior
