European Prospects

In today’s edition of Getting to know, we will check out what the Latvian forward Rihards Kuksiks has to tell us.

The Arizona State player, who was a participant of the 2005 edition of NBA Basketball without borders is a regular contributor of the Latvian youth teams.

So Rihards, how did you arrive in the United States?

Well I have been playing with youth national team every year and I knew one guy at Florida and he told me about that school and he said that there is couple Lithuanians and Russians at the school so I checked the website. And then I decided that I have to check it out.

I played in Florida when I was in high school and I won two championships at high school level. I didn’t want to stay in Florida and I had chances to go to many other really good schools. And ASU had a losing season last year and I thought that me and the new freshman class could change that and make the turn around for the ASU program and make it one of the best powers in the NCAA.

I also signed with ASU because of the head coach success and his smart way of the team basketball and also it is one of the sleepers in NCAA basketball and I think that we can accomplish great things at this University.

Can you present yourself a bit and tell us what of player you are?

I am sharp shooter but I can play both outside and inside. My strength is shooting and weakness is defense.

And what about your future? Where will we see you after your NCAA career?

I am thinking to go to the best level but if that is not going to work out then I will play basketball in Europe. My goals are to get to NCAA March madness and get that championship ring and then will see how it goes.

Thank you Rihards for your thoughts, and I wish you all the best for your future.