| KidSlamma - I must say, thank you greatly Skitz for sitting down and doing an interview. Skitz - Oh it's no problem at all. I love doing these things, its the least I can do. KS - To start off, I know many have heard, but for the people who haven't, how did you first hear about SlamBall and what made you want to play? Sk - I first heard of SlamBall like most of the original fans did-I saw a promo for it while watching RAW one night. My first impressions of the promo were "it's about time!?". It seems like every kid in America has brought a trampoline to a basketball hoop and tried to dunk, but SlamBall had done it right. After the initial sinking in of what I had just seen on the promo, I was so in awe that I said I had to play it. After seeing the first game on TNN, I looked at my friend and said "man, I am going to play that game". I dont think he really thought I could, so I took that to heart also. KS - And another question already answered, but for the new coming fans, how exactly did you train to become a SlamBall star? Sk - Training was the hard part. I was basically training for something that I had no clue how to do. All I knew was I had to get good on trampolines. I got in touch with a couple coaches through allsports.com, Coach K of the Mob and Coach H of the Bouncers, and they helped me with some of the drills that I would do. I lifted weights, did a TON of shooting and just straight up basketball drills, and the biggest thing of all by far-finding a gymnastics facility that would let me jump on their tramps. I literally went to 19 gyms in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and every single one turned me down for insurance reasons. The last gym I went to was actually the closest to where I was living at the time. All-Star Gymnastics in Carrollton, Texas is home of the nicest people and most helpful staff ever. They new they were taking a bit of a risk, but they just wanted to help. I got about 2 months of jumping, day in and day out, before tryouts and it really helped me. KS - Were you prepared for what was expected at tryouts? Sk - I'd like to think I was. Actually I think I probably was more than anyone else now that I really think about it. I tried not to be nervous, but man it was crazy. I was/am such a HUGE SlamBall fan and to walk into this warehouse and to see this incredible structure of a court in front of you-whew, I'll never forget how I felt the first time I saw the court. Anyways, like I was saying, getting on the tramps in Dallas helped out a ton and made me stand out above some of the other guys. KS - When it was getting later in the draft, did you ever once think you wouldn't be drafted? Sk - Oh yeah, I havent seen the documentary yet, but I sure you'll see how I was feeling. Entering the 6th and 7th rounds it started to dawn on me that I possibly couldn't get drafted. I was just thinking, "man, this is gonna be a long drive home". When it got to the 8th round it felt like a damn wild animal was just chewing at my stomach...worst feeling ever. KS - When you heard your name being called out stating that you had been drafted, what ran through your head? Sk - "You better work your ass off". I got up and hugged coach B and told him that he drafted the hardest working guy in SlamBall. I'd like to think I can still say that, not to take anything away from anyone else. I felt incredibly relieved that I wasn't going home, but all I could think was "it's time to go to work". KS - When you heard that your team would be named The Bandits, did you fall in love with the name right away, or did it take some getting used to? Sk - I had heard a couple rumored names for our team, and to be honest, at first I was impartial to it-I had heard better and heard much worse. After our first practice with the name, we broke a huddle with "Bandits" and it felt good. From there on out I liked it. Its a part of me now. I can't imagine being anything else. KS - Now, I know you can't talk much about Season 2, which starts airing Aug. 4th after RAW on TNN, but did you feel pressured to live up to possibly high expectations of Allsports fans? Sk - The fans on Allsports have shown me so much love, even before I had tried out for SlamBall. During the games I wore on the back of my helmet a piece of tape with "for the fans" written on it, just to show a little love back. I know that people on the site have high expectations for me, but you have to believe me, my expectations are higher than anyone else's. Like I said before, I'm gonna bust my ass and do the absolute best I can, so hopefully I can make some people happy. KS - Do you feel as though you did well in your own eyes? Sk - Like most every rookie there is a huge learning curve in SlamBall, because you're playing a sport that you've never played before. There is also a HUGE difference between doing drills everyday and going up and down in a game. That being said, I think I adjusted pretty well to game situations and prepared myself for the games as well as I could. KS - Can we expect a high jump in talent from season 2 Skitz to season 3 Skitz? Sk - What a great question. Anyone who watches this season and liked what I did better watch out next season. Expect to see a ridiculous improvement from me from season 2 to season 3. I've been lifting literally everyday and doing drills catered specifically to SlamBall. I'm still jumping on the tramp here in Dallas and doing things I was doing while I was on the tramps in LA. Having all this free time off has given me a ton of time just to think about different things I can do on the tramps to fool stoppers and to quote the great Calvin Patterson "make them my puppet." KS - If there was a tour, would you like to be on it, and which cities would you like to tour? Sk - WITHOUT A DOUBT! I would drop whatever I was doing to be a part of a tour. I think the big question is, do the fans want to see me on tour? That's probably going to be the big thing. Obviously I would love to go through Dallas, just because I have had so much support from my family and they have never seen me play. Other than that, I would go literally anywhere they sent me, I would just be honored to be a part of the tour and give people the best show I could. I would get a kick out of going city to city and putting a face with a name for all my friends from the Allsports site, ya know? KS - What do you see for the future of SlamBall and SlamBall gear? Sk - I really believe that SlamBall is going to take off. Once you see season 2 you will understand what I'm talking about. The best way I can describe the jump from season 1 to 2 is this-season 1 was like old school, Atari video games with bad graphics and even worse music-which was great for the time, but compared to today's games, are crap. Season 2 is like a PS2 version of SlamBall. That's how big the jump is that's been made in the game. I fully expect that jump to be made again and again. SlamBall is all about creativity and imagination because the possiblities are endless. You all are watching the next big sport in American history. As far as SlamBall gear...I would love to see some jerseys come out, just like everyone else-praticularly a Skistimas jersey. Ha ha. KS - Just for the fans to make a connection, what are your favorite sports to watch besides SlamBall, and what are your favorite teams? Sk - Growing up in Dallas, espescially during the "Glory days" of the Cowboys, you would think I would be a Cowboys fan, but I'm not. I'm more of a basketball guy myself. I grew up watching the Mavs. and suffered through the 11 and 13 win seasons but was always a fan-now I'm just benefitting from all the tough years. On the other side, I was a huge MJ and Bulls fan. I actually still root for the Bulls, although I couldnt tell you their starting 5. I've also been a big soccer guy my entire life also. I love indoor soccer and have gone to several Dallas sidekicks games. I've also been known to watch a little WWE on Mondays. KS - Thank you for yout time Skitz, here is your place to insert any additional comments. Sk - Just a big thanks to everyone who has supported me during my adventures. Thanks Mom, Dad, Kenny and Holly for believing in me. My girlfriend Cherie who has put up with enough SlamBall to make a person go mad and keeps coming back for more. Mason, Sh8kes, and Los for sticking around after all the practices were done to work on different things. All the production staff at SlamBall. The fans on Allsports for the support they've always shown me-I wish I could show you how much I appreciate it. You, KidSlamma, for giving me the chance to be the first interview on your site, and of course a huge shout out to THE BANDITS-Coach B, Cru, Sky, J Teezy, Los, Corn Board, JD and Tice. There ya go man, hopefully that works out. Glad I could help you out and thanks for the support. Skitz |
| Skitz Interview |
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