Nik Khamenia Interviewed At USA U19 Training Camp
Sounds like a confident and interesting young player
Draft Express caught up to incoming Duke freshman Nik Khamenia at USA Basketball U19 Training Camp and got some great stuff from him. The first question is kind of boilerplate but after that he is asked what he likes about USA Basketball and it’s pretty revealing. He really kind of lights up and gets passionate. Here’s part of that answer:
“I won’t even say platform because it’s such a special..it’s almost like family. Everyone kind of knows everyone. I’ve seen all these guys throughout the entire country...playing them, being in the same league as them. You can have all the top players come in here and play against each other...mini-camp...trials...it’s always special getting a call from USA...being able to wear those three letters on your chest and play the sport that you love...I think ultimately it puts you above a lot of people around the world. It holds a lot of weight.”
He’s also asked about his role and basically he says he’s a glue guy, that he does whatever his team needs.
The interviewer also compliments Khamenia’s confidence and his improved shooting. When he asks him about his favorite players, he lists Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokich, Jayson Tatum and Paolo Banchero.
He also asks him about what he thinks Duke will be like this upcoming season and, not surprisingly, he’s pretty optimistic.
The interviewer also asks him about an improvement in his confidence and he basically says it’s because he’s worked very hard and feels like he has earned the confidence.
It’s hard to project much but you kind of get the sense that Khamenia might be further along than we’ve been told.