The person that I chose to interview was Taylor Browne. He plays on the UBC basketball team and he is number 5. The reason I chose to interview him was because basketball is something that I am very passionate about. I’ve loved basketball from a very young age and still today. By interviewing Taylor, I wanted to see how his journey got him to play basketball past high school and how he got there. After these responses, I’ve learned that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Taylor has faced his Achilles injury which was his obstacle and he talked about how he wasn’t the best early. He was a late bloomer but with hard work and effort, he is where he is today. He now has the opportunity to play overseas in the Philippines! That’s amazing! Taylor also showed me that if you fall down, you should always get back because if you don’t you never will. Taylor pushed me to work harder and to always look up when life feels low. I am on the grade 9 basketball team in Riverside and after I got his responses to these questions, I realized that I could be doing so much more so I went outside every time I had the chance and I shot over 50 free throws. We ended up 2nd in districts and we moved on to fraser valleys. I was so happy! When we won, the thought of the effort I put in made me happy and that I knew that if I put hard work and effort into what I’m passionate about, I can achieve my goals. When Taylor said that he played basketball with his friends when he was younger, I connected to that because when I was younger I played a lot of basketball with my friends and that’s how I got better. I’m very happy that I got the chance to meet Taylor and I hope that the both of us can achieve or goals by working hard and giving all our effort.

1.) Why are you passionate about your job?

“I am passionate about basketball because when I was younger I used to always play basketball with my friends. It was fun. When I knew I was good at it I used to practice everyday until it became a part of my life. As I got older I was told that playing basketball can get you a scholarship in university and can be a job one day. My passion grew more and more over the years.”

2.) What obstacles have you faced to get you where you are today?

“I’ve only had one major setback. I ruptured my Achilles in 2018 and it took me 14 months to fully recover. This year was my first year back from injury.”

3.)  What advice would you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing?

“I would say to always work hard and stay consistent. I would also say to trust the process. Success or results don’t happen overnight. I was a late bloomer growing up. i wasn’t the biggest or the strongest but I worked on my game and figured out what I’m best at and excelled at it.”

4.) Would you be open to further contact from Riverside students and if so, how can someone contact you?

“For sure. I’m always available if you need advice and it would be best to find me on instagram @thatdude_taylor. Just send me a DM and I’ll get back to you.”

5.) Is basketball something you want to pursue after university?

“Yes, I have plans to play professionally overseas. My best chance would be in the philippines playing in the PBA. (Philippine Basketball Association). My mom is Filipino and I have a passport which makes it easier to get into.”

6.) How did you get into the UBC basketball team?

“I was offered by several schools in Canada and by 1 D1 school in Montana, but my coaches in high school were contacted by Coach Hanson and the Thunderbird’s. They came to  my games in high school and took me to dinner in my grade 12 year. At that dinner I knew I wanted to go there so I committed that day and the rest was history.”                                           

Sources:

https://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/mens-basketball

https://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/mens-basketball/roster/taylor-browne/7970

All instagram DM’s were taken by myself.

First photo from @thatdude_taylor instagram

https://www.ubyssey.ca/sports/mens-basketball-feb-16-2018/