University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Q&A with Eric Curry
2/26/2019 12:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
This Q&A originally appeared in the Minnesota basketball game day program on Feb. 16, 2019.
Q: You have been friends with Payton Willis for some time, what's it like to have a childhood friend on the team?
A: It's really cool having him here. I've known him forever, and we played a lot of ball growing up. It's nice having someone from back home that's where I'm from and understands me a lot. He understands the slang that I use, the southern accent that I use. It's really cool to have a person like that here, and he understands me.
Q: What was the conversation like when he decided to transfer to Minnesota?
A: Actually, Minnesota offered him out of high school, and we were in his top 3. When he told me he was looking elsewhere, I said it was perfect. We needed to fill some holes on the wing next year anyways, so it was the perfect fit for him.
Q: A lot of Minnesota kids on the team, and now some Arkansas area kids, how does that affect the culture?
A: It's great, it comes with a lot of chemistry and connection.
Q: What was your support system like through injury for you?
A: Really everybody. I had the biggest support system you could probably ever have in life. Everybody from coaches, to my mo, to my friends and teammates. Everybody helped me every step of the way, telling me that I was going to be fine, i was going to be back better than ever. They just kept encouraging me and it helped me out a lot. Just knowing I was wanted and needed helped me out a lot.
Q: How was the shorter-term injury different mentally than being out the whole season?
A: These minor injuries are day-to-day, so it's a lot easier for me. You really do take it day-by-day.
Q: Your hair has changed a lot over your time here, why has it changed so much?
A: My goal is for my yearly head shots to have a different hairstyle for each one. So far I'm three for three. First, I had the Sideshow Bob look, then I had the even all over haircut, then I had the braids look. I just having a new style.
Q: You've been talked about as the best video game player on the team, why is that, who is your biggest competition?
A: My reason for that was that I had a year off of basketball with nothing to do, so all I did was sit around and play video games while they were at practice. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move, so I got really good. My whole childhood, that's what I did. I wasn't the outside type of kid, because it's so hot down south, so I didn't like going outside. It depends on the game, but my biggest challenger is probably Payton because he grew up playing all his life too. He's a competitor too, hates losing, so he's going to do anything in his power to beta me, especially because I talk so much, I have to win.
Q: Your teammates talk about your versatility on the court and your ability to guard any position. How have you gotten to that point?
A: I've been fortunate enough to be around so many coaches growing up that had advanced knowledge of the game. I understood the game and I listened and I take everything in. I'm a very coachable kid because I like listening and learning so that's where that comes from.
Q: Your mom is very active on Twitter. Is that something you like, or see a lot?
A: Honestly, I don't even have a twitter, so I don't see it. Fans will come up to me, and say "Your mom is so cool," and Coach P will joke about it too, but I never see it. I don't mind it because I don't see it most of the time.
Q: You have been friends with Payton Willis for some time, what's it like to have a childhood friend on the team?
A: It's really cool having him here. I've known him forever, and we played a lot of ball growing up. It's nice having someone from back home that's where I'm from and understands me a lot. He understands the slang that I use, the southern accent that I use. It's really cool to have a person like that here, and he understands me.
Q: What was the conversation like when he decided to transfer to Minnesota?
A: Actually, Minnesota offered him out of high school, and we were in his top 3. When he told me he was looking elsewhere, I said it was perfect. We needed to fill some holes on the wing next year anyways, so it was the perfect fit for him.
Q: A lot of Minnesota kids on the team, and now some Arkansas area kids, how does that affect the culture?
A: It's great, it comes with a lot of chemistry and connection.
Q: What was your support system like through injury for you?
A: Really everybody. I had the biggest support system you could probably ever have in life. Everybody from coaches, to my mo, to my friends and teammates. Everybody helped me every step of the way, telling me that I was going to be fine, i was going to be back better than ever. They just kept encouraging me and it helped me out a lot. Just knowing I was wanted and needed helped me out a lot.
Q: How was the shorter-term injury different mentally than being out the whole season?
A: These minor injuries are day-to-day, so it's a lot easier for me. You really do take it day-by-day.
Q: Your hair has changed a lot over your time here, why has it changed so much?
A: My goal is for my yearly head shots to have a different hairstyle for each one. So far I'm three for three. First, I had the Sideshow Bob look, then I had the even all over haircut, then I had the braids look. I just having a new style.
Q: You've been talked about as the best video game player on the team, why is that, who is your biggest competition?
A: My reason for that was that I had a year off of basketball with nothing to do, so all I did was sit around and play video games while they were at practice. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move, so I got really good. My whole childhood, that's what I did. I wasn't the outside type of kid, because it's so hot down south, so I didn't like going outside. It depends on the game, but my biggest challenger is probably Payton because he grew up playing all his life too. He's a competitor too, hates losing, so he's going to do anything in his power to beta me, especially because I talk so much, I have to win.
Q: Your teammates talk about your versatility on the court and your ability to guard any position. How have you gotten to that point?
A: I've been fortunate enough to be around so many coaches growing up that had advanced knowledge of the game. I understood the game and I listened and I take everything in. I'm a very coachable kid because I like listening and learning so that's where that comes from.
Q: Your mom is very active on Twitter. Is that something you like, or see a lot?
A: Honestly, I don't even have a twitter, so I don't see it. Fans will come up to me, and say "Your mom is so cool," and Coach P will joke about it too, but I never see it. I don't mind it because I don't see it most of the time.
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