By Dionysis Aravantinos/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos guard Shaq McKissic was the latest guest of Eurohoops’ IG Lockdown. In what was a lengthy conversation, the American player discussed his stint with the Reds so far, how he spends his time during the hiatus, EuroLeague resuming the season, and how he left behind his days in jail and began playing major college basketball.
Here’s what McKissic said on:
His days in prison:
“Even to this day… I think that this is the first year where I finally got comfortable sleeping in an actual bed with my wife. There were so many years I was sleeping on the couch, going from this guy’s house to this guy’s house. Even staying in jail and being uncomfortable to the point where uncomfortable just got comfortable.”
“When you are sitting in jail for that many days, it’s just you and walls. There’s nothing you can really do and nowhere you can run. It kind of shapes your mind to a schedule or a pattern. And once you apply this pattern to anything, it usually works.”
Joining Arizona State against all odds:
“Getting back into college… it’s so crazy. Here I am, I’m working at a furniture store. I’m on probation. I have no reason to once even think I can go to Division I. I’m at the lowest of lowest points. Then, I hit a pop in my head: “Maybe I can do this”.
Once you just make up in your mind that you’re going to do something and nothing is going to stop you? You’re gonna fail so many times and in between, you’re going to have those times when you’re like “I’m not doing this.” When I finally went to Arizona State I was like.. 20 about to be 21. That’s unheard of.”
