NCSA caught up with basketball standout BJ Shearry about his high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What’s your pre-game ritual(s)?
Shearry: Before a big game the things that motivate me are listening to my favorite pump up music and I always pray before every game. I don’t really have a set pre-game ritual that I must do; however, I do try to sit quietly by myself to focus and prepare mentally on the game, seeing myself playing my game and what I know about the team I am playing against.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Shearry: The things I am looking forward to while playing basketball at the collegiate level is meeting new people, playing at a higher level with better competition, improving my skills, utilizing my talent within the team structure, having fun as we work hard as a team toward our goals, and learning life lessons on and off the court.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in?
Shearry: I have enjoyed playing many sports such as hockey, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, and golf but my true love has always been basketball for as long as I remember. The reason I got involved with basketball is because I loved to watch it on TV when I was younger and just fell in love with the game. Growing up, watching MJ was the biggest influence on me, that is why I rep number 23.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Shearry: My interaction with college coaches has been eye opening. I’ve learned a lot by just answering coach’s questions and hearing about how different schools operate from different divisions. I’ve also learned about schools & towns I didn’t know existed. Getting involved with NCSA has really helped in getting my name and information to coaches increasing the contacts I have received. I really enjoy talking to the coaches and hearing stories about their past seasons and plans for the future, especially about how I could fit into their programs.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? (Club teams, high school teams)? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Shearry: My season will start in November. We will have five returning players as a good foundation for building a great team. We have had some open gyms and we are all looking really good. My teammates and I have been working on our game tremendously over the summer. We have become a lot stronger in many ways. My challenge this year will be playing in a new position and still leading our team as I have in the past. As a leader my goals for high school are to have a great season and help take my team all the way to win a state championship. For college my goals are to get into a great school where I can academically succeed as well as play basketball. I have been told I play up to the level I am matched up against so playing at a higher level is a goal of mine and has been for a long time. Academically my goal is to do the best I can in my academics and find a major that is truly for me that I will succeed in.
NCSA: Tell us about what you’ve learned since being with NCSA.
Shearry: I have learned many things such as: how to seek a good balance between my goals and reality, improved my interview skills with college coaches, learned more proper questions to ask of coaches, how and when you should talk about scholarships, lot’s of NCAA rules, not to be shy about my skill level and past accomplishments, talk about official visits with the potential to play for a college and make a big impact very early as a freshman. NCSA has been extremely helpful in my collegiate learning experience.
