by Arielle Andres
| Joey Shank |
Senior guard Joey Shank has picked up from where he left off last season as one of UTSA’s top outside shooters. The Folsom, Calif., native has drained 11 3-pointers in the first four games this year, including six in a 136-68 rout of East Central on Nov. 22. Shank, who converted 67 triples in 2007-08, sat down with goUTSA.com after the East Central victory to talk about this year’s team, being from California and his career plans.
What made you decide to choose UTSA?
“I just fell in love with the coaching staff, especially with Coach Thompson and his background. Everything that they told made me feel comfortable about coming here and having an opportunity to play.”
As one of three returning players, how are you helping your new teammates adapt to UTSA?
“Well, all the guys were junior college players, so it was the same thing I did last year. They come to me and ask questions on what the coaches expect and I try to help them with that and other things from my experience of where they are now.”
What do you feel the new players are adding to the team?
“I think you can tell if you look at the stats. Everyone has contributed so far and I think it is going to be a situation where every night someone different has a good night and the other guys fill in to help the team as a whole. I’m excited, because I feel that anyone can go out there and do well.”
What do you think this team needs to do in order to compete for a conference title?
“I think we just need to play together and continue to gel. I think we have all the parts to win a conference championship, but every team in the league is saying the same thing right now. I think we can put ourselves in that situation if we can mentally believe, come out and play our best every night and keep challenging ourselves. We can take wins and get even better from them. It will be tough, but I think we can do it.”
Last season, you led the team with 67 3-pointers. We all know you are a threat from downtown, but what other aspects of play do you believe will help you as an all-around basketball player?
“If I can shoot the ball well from the outside, it gives me an opportunity to put the ball on the floor a bit more, but because people have to respect my shot, I think that makes it possible for me to make other things happen and open up shots for my teammates. I’m working on that. I would like to do more stuff off the dribble, get a little more confident with it and not settle for a three every time.”
As an economics major, what are your career plans after graduation?
“I’m unsure if I will stick with economics, but I wanted to stay business-oriented. I want to graduate on time, which is difficult coming from a junior college, but if I chose an economics major, everything would have transferred well and I could get out in two years. I have the mind of an entrepreneur, so I’m sure I’ll start my own business and hopefully my economics background will come into play.”
At the 2008 Roadrunner Ruckus you showed the crowed that you have some rhythm and can dance. Do you enjoy dancing, or was that just for a good laugh?
“Oh, I like to dance. My teammates like to joke around with me about it, but I tell them that I can dance and when we go out I show them. I don’t watch them on YouTube or anything like that. I just do whatever and stick to what I know.”
You still have most of your senior season ahead of you, but what is one moment you will keep with you from UTSA?
“I think the Ruckus last year stands out. I was the new guy and nobody knew me. I got the chance to go out there and do some things and I won the dunk contest. People started cheering my name and it was a really good feeling because I’d never had that happen before. I think that was the best. I would walk around campus and have more people say ?Hi’ to me and it was just a really good feeling.”
What other sports do you enjoy besides basketball?
“I played every sport when I was growing up. I’m really a baseball player at heart and still am. I think it would be fun to try out for the team here, but it conflicts with too much of basketball, but I love baseball.”
Since you do not get to go home to Folsom often, how to you cope with being away for so long?
“Cell phones. I try and keep in touch with my family and some friends as much as I can. That’s the only way I can do it. I try and have people come out and visit me if that’s possible. I don’t have much time out here, so I can stay away for a little bit; I have my home for the rest of my life.”
What’s one secret about Folsom, Calif., that most people in Texas would never find out?
“We have In-N-Out Burger. It’s a secret because hardly anyone out here has ever heard of it.”