University of Minnesota Athletics
Courtside Q&A: Ahmad Gilbert
1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
This article originally appeared in the Nov. 27 Courtside game program against Omaha.
Q: What team are you most excited to play this season?
A: I'm looking forward to playing Temple, my home school, in Puerto Rico.
Q: What are you looking to improve on this season?
A: Just being a team player. Just coming in, doing what I need to do to help the older guys to win.
Q: You're a freshman this year, so have the guys on the team taken you under their wing?
A: Yeah, especially the older guys. We're more like a family. I know most of the guys on the team pretty well so that's a good thing.
Q: How was the transition from high school to college?
A: It's been kind of wild. My schedule's all crazy. I've just been running all over the place.
Q: How do you balance your crazy schedule with school and athletics?
A: I take my time. I manage my time. We have tutoring too so that's really nice.
Q: Who has influenced you the most during this season so far?
A: So far I've been hanging with Nate, Carlos, and Morris a lot. So that's who influences me. And back home are three of my coaches, Coach Dave, Coach Rob and Coach Tim.
Q: What do you miss the most about Philadelphia?
A: A good Philly cheesesteak.
Q: Is there a huge difference between Philly and Minneapolis?
A: Yes, it's much nicer here.
Q: It's nicer here?
A: Yeah the people are nicer here. It's nice that they're nice.
Q: What about the weather?
A: I haven't experienced the winter yet and I'm kind of surprised with that. I'm very scared for the winter. I don't think I'm ready for the cold.
Q: What's your favorite thanksgiving meal?
A: Macaroni and cheese!
Q: That seems to be the popular meal of choice on this team. Not turkey?
A: Nope, not a big fan actually.
Q: What made you want to become a Gopher?
A: The environment did. And plus, I knew two players before I came here. So I knew Kevin Dorsey and he committed before me, and I knew Nate, so that pushed me to come here even more. Then when I came to visit I saw they wanted the players to be closer to each other, like more of a family, off the court and on the court. That was a big thing for me.
Q: If you were a kangaroo, what would you put in your pouch?
A: A basketball. For sure.
