Tuesday was Media Day for the Nevada men's basketball team, and the Wolf Pack student-athletes and coaches spent about an hour and a half, donning their new uniforms, taking head shots, portraits and a team photo and answering questions from about 20 local media members in attendance.
Led by first-year head coach David Carter, the Wolf Pack officially begins practice on Friday, Oct. 16.
Nevada media services intern Jill Coyle and Nevadawolfpack.com took a few minutes to get to know each of Nevada's five newcomers:
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#14 Marko Cukic
Freshman Forward
Belgrade, Serbia
| Q: Why did you decide to come to the University of Nevada?
A: I like the coaching a lot. I also like the school's basketball program and the campus. Q: When did you start playing basketball?
A: Fifth grade Q: What is your favorite basketball memory?
A: Winning home/team championships in Serbia Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: Watch movies, hang out with friends and listen to music Q: If you weren't playing basketball, what sport would you play?
A; Soccer. I used to play. Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: Pizza and hot wings Q: Where did you grow up? And what is the best thing about your hometown?
A: Belgrade, Serbia. I like everything, I like the people and the friends I have there. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: No Q: What is the most interesting thing that you want Wolf Pack fans to know about you?
A: I am from Serbia, and I want to win as many games as we can. |
| #12 Keith Fuetsch
Freshman Guard
Reno, Nev.
| Q: Why did you decide to come to the University of Nevada?
A: Growing up here, I got to see the program develop. So I talked to the coaches and it is going to be a fun season. Q: When did you start playing basketball?
A: I started playing in the second grade. Q: What is your favorite basketball memory?
A: I played against Michael Jordan's son in eighth grade in a tournament in Las Vegas. We almost beat them. Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: Play other sports, video games, watch TV. Q: Who is your favorite NBA basketball player?
A: Chris Paul Q: If you weren't playing basketball, what sport would you play?
A: Football. I played since fifth grade. Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: Steak Q: Where did you grow up? And what is the best thing about your hometown?
A: Reno. Tahoe is close. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: No Q: What is the most interesting thing that you want Wolf Pack fans to know about you?
A: I work hard and I am proud to wear the jersey that I grew up watching. |
| #1 Patrick Nyeko
Freshman Guard
London, England
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Q: Why did you decide to come to the University of Nevada?
A: I like the coaching staff and I also liked the campus a lot. Q: When did you start playing basketball?
A: I started playing when I was 11 years old. Q: What is your favorite basketball memory?
A: In high school, I made a pass to a teammate to tie up the game at state. Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: Hanging out with friends Q: Who is your favorite NBA basketball player?
A: Michael Jordan Q: If you weren't playing basketball, what sport would you play?
A: Soccer. Where I am from, it is a very big sport. Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: Pizza Q: Where did you grow up? And what is the best thing about your hometown?
A: London. The public transport. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: I like to stretch a lot before each game. Q: What is the most interesting thing that you want Wolf Pack fans to know about you?
A: I want to reach my potential here at Nevada. |
| #43 Keith Olson
Sophomore Forward
Gardnerville, Nev. | Q: Why did you decide to come to the University of Nevada?
A: I wanted to come home and play in front of a home crowd. Q: When did you start playing basketball?
A: About second grade Q: What is your favorite basketball memory?
A: Playing in the zone championships here in Reno, my senior year Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. My favorite game is Call of Duty 4. Q: Who is your favorite NBA basketball player?
A: Tim Duncan on the San Antonio Spurs Q: If you weren't playing basketball, what sport would you play?
A: Baseball. I played until the end of Little League. I stopped when I started to really focus on basketball. Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: I love spaghetti. A: Where did you grow up? What is the best thing about your hometown?
A: I grew up in Gardnerville. I like it because it is a smaller community, so I had lots of support. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: I eat spaghetti the night before each game. Q: What is the most interesting thing that you want Wolf Pack fans to know about you?
A: I love to cook and try new things to cook. |
| #21 Malik Story
Sophomore Guard
Pasadena, Calif.
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Q: Why did you decide to come to the University of Nevada?
A: I came because I like Coach Carter, and I wanted to be close to home. Q; When did you start playing basketball?
A: When I was eight years old. Q: What is your favorite basketball memory?
A: My favorite memory was my first college game. I was excited because going to college was my goal and I had made it. Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: I like to play video games and go to the beach. Q: Who is your favorite NBA basketball player?
A: LeBron James and Ray Allen Q: If you weren't playing basketball, what sport would you play?
A: Baseball or football Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: Fried chicken, mac and Cheese, yams, greens and Kool-aid. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: I have to shoot three layups before each game. And whatever song I listen to at the beginning to the season is what I listen to before each game. Q: What is the most interesting thing that you want Wolf Pack fans to know about you?
A: I love the fans. |
