University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Q&A with Eric Curry
2/11/2020 12:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
This originally ran in the Jan. 15 game program against Penn State. Interview by Matt Little, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Gopher Sports: After sitting out this year due to your knee injury, what do you think you'll be able to bring to the team next year that you picked up while recovering, and how do you think you've grown?
Curry: A lot of experience. Of course I've been around here for four years now, so just a lot of experience and leadership. I think that'll help the team out a lot next year. I think I've grown just by becoming even more strong-minded. Just fighting through adversity and knowing how to battle through things and overcome things again. It's just adding onto my experience and my toughness as well.
GS: Thus far, you're leading in the "Best 2K Player" voting throughout the team. Who would you nominate?
Curry: I would say either Payton or myself. It's neck-and-neck, and that's the truth right there. Everyone else is no good.
GS: You've said you'd like to get into broadcasting. Is there something specifically about broadcasting that appeals to you?
Curry: Yes, my major is communications, so after basketball, if it's not coaching or anything, I'd love to talk about sports and just be around the field of media around sports. It's nothing specific about broadcasting though. It could be as an analyst, or just anything talking about and being around sports.
GS: When you first came to the 'U', you wrote on your bio that your most thrilling sports moment was winning the Nike 16U Peach Jam tournament. Has that changed?
Curry: That has absolutely changed. There's been a lot of great memories made here. I would probably say making the tournament my freshman year. Just being in the selection show room was awesome. They obviously had a terrible season the year before, and Amir, I and everyone else came here and helped the team get to the tournament they hadn't been to in awhile. That has been my biggest sports thrill.
GS: Assuming everyone on the team is fully healthy, could any of your teammates take you 1-on-1?
Curry: No. I already know what Dan is going to say, but no.
GS: What's your biggest fear?
Curry: I hate rats. Like, I'd cry if I see a rat. I'll freeze up and literally cry if I see a rat. Rodent-wise, like mice, possums or anything like that, I hate it.
GS: People call you 'E' around here. Is that just short for Eric, or is there anything special around that nickname?
Curry: Most people up here call me 'EC'. Payton has always called me 'E' back home, and ever since he came here, everyone just adapted to what he calls me. So yeah, it's just short for Eric.
GS: If you had never played basketball, what do you think you'd play?
Curry: Football easily. Not a lot of people know this, and of course I play basketball and love it, but football is my number one. I always play Madden, I'm always the Madden guy, and I'm just always around football. I love watching football, and it's my number one for sure.
GS: Could anyone beat you at Madden, or any video game for that matter?
Curry: Madden, no, and everyone will tell you that. I'm not good at shooting games like Fortnite, but any sports games, no. Nobody can beat me at sports games. NHL, 2K, no way.
Gopher Sports: After sitting out this year due to your knee injury, what do you think you'll be able to bring to the team next year that you picked up while recovering, and how do you think you've grown?
Curry: A lot of experience. Of course I've been around here for four years now, so just a lot of experience and leadership. I think that'll help the team out a lot next year. I think I've grown just by becoming even more strong-minded. Just fighting through adversity and knowing how to battle through things and overcome things again. It's just adding onto my experience and my toughness as well.
GS: Thus far, you're leading in the "Best 2K Player" voting throughout the team. Who would you nominate?
Curry: I would say either Payton or myself. It's neck-and-neck, and that's the truth right there. Everyone else is no good.
GS: You've said you'd like to get into broadcasting. Is there something specifically about broadcasting that appeals to you?
Curry: Yes, my major is communications, so after basketball, if it's not coaching or anything, I'd love to talk about sports and just be around the field of media around sports. It's nothing specific about broadcasting though. It could be as an analyst, or just anything talking about and being around sports.
GS: When you first came to the 'U', you wrote on your bio that your most thrilling sports moment was winning the Nike 16U Peach Jam tournament. Has that changed?
Curry: That has absolutely changed. There's been a lot of great memories made here. I would probably say making the tournament my freshman year. Just being in the selection show room was awesome. They obviously had a terrible season the year before, and Amir, I and everyone else came here and helped the team get to the tournament they hadn't been to in awhile. That has been my biggest sports thrill.
GS: Assuming everyone on the team is fully healthy, could any of your teammates take you 1-on-1?
Curry: No. I already know what Dan is going to say, but no.
GS: What's your biggest fear?
Curry: I hate rats. Like, I'd cry if I see a rat. I'll freeze up and literally cry if I see a rat. Rodent-wise, like mice, possums or anything like that, I hate it.
GS: People call you 'E' around here. Is that just short for Eric, or is there anything special around that nickname?
Curry: Most people up here call me 'EC'. Payton has always called me 'E' back home, and ever since he came here, everyone just adapted to what he calls me. So yeah, it's just short for Eric.
GS: If you had never played basketball, what do you think you'd play?
Curry: Football easily. Not a lot of people know this, and of course I play basketball and love it, but football is my number one. I always play Madden, I'm always the Madden guy, and I'm just always around football. I love watching football, and it's my number one for sure.
GS: Could anyone beat you at Madden, or any video game for that matter?
Curry: Madden, no, and everyone will tell you that. I'm not good at shooting games like Fortnite, but any sports games, no. Nobody can beat me at sports games. NHL, 2K, no way.
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