| Tantrum33: First question, How did you first hear about Slamball? Quinton: Well...I saw it on T.V. the first year, and it so happpened that the first game that I saw had Shakes and Inches playing. I then started to watch each week, and got hooked on Shakes and his dunks. Tantrum33: Question 2, did you go into tryouts feeling prepared? Quinton: Yeah. I felt pretty good. I had to travel all the way to L.A. because I missed the tryouts over here in Chicago. But when I walked into the gym, everyone was pretty tall. So I was a little bit intimidated, but I had no money to get back to Michigan. So I had no choice but to make it happen! Tantrum33: I'm sorry you missed the one in Chicago, exactly what happened? Quinton: Well....I was supposed to ride with a so called friend of mine because he told me about the tryouts the previous day. Well, I stayed up all night packing and getting ready to ride with him, and he called me about 4:30 in the mornig and asked me how much money I had to contribute for the trip. At the time I was broke as ever. So he decided to tell me I couln't ride with him. Tantrum33: Did your friend tryout? Quinton: Yes. He ended up making it out of Chicago, to the 10 days of training in L.A. But he didn't make the final cut! He didn't even make it to the draft! Tantrum33: How did you feel when you were first drafted? Quinton: Man....It was the greatest feeling ever. Growing up I always wanted to play in the NBA. Then I saw slamball, and I saw an opportunity to play this sport. It was my type of sport. I heard my name at the draft and went crazy. It was an indescribable feeling. But it was a dream come true. Tantrum33: What is your role on the Diablos, Quinton? Quinton: You know..this past year was kind of hard to say, because I was injured and I was out for about a month. I played handler before I was injured. Then when I got back they moved me to gunner. I feel that I could have contributed alot in scoring if I hadn't got injured. But I think I was suppose to set others up to score. In any case, I was injured still throughout the whole season with bruised ribs. So I was kind of limited. But I did not let my coach know that. Tantrum33: How does it feel to play under Joe Bryant and with the creator Mason Gordon? Quinton: It feels great. Alot of people here at home couldn't believe that Kobe Bryant's dad was my coach. It was funny because after the draft, some of the players and I were talking, and they said...."hey, you guys know that Kobe's dad is coaching a team?" Then I said "really, who's team is he coaching." Everyone told me that he was coaching for the Diablos, and I couldn't believe it myself. I didn't even know that, that was the persons hand I shook at the draft. As far as Mason goes, it was great to play with him because he gave a lot of insight on the things to do. His knowledge of the game is great. Which is fitting because he created the game. But it was an honor, and he helped me learn alot of things this past season. Tantrum33: You are a tremendoes player, so why do you spend much time at Allsports, which I love? Quinton: I spend alot of time at AllSports because I like to talk to players that I can find there at the site. Also I look to see what news you guys might find out before me. Tantrum33: Well Quinton, it was an honor to talk to you and I hope you have a great day and an allstar-season. Quinton: Thank you for the interview. |
| Quinton Nowling Interview |
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