Three days after his freshman season ended, Chris Joseph still hasn’t taken a break from basketball; he’s embracing it. With his upbringing, it’s hard not to.
Joseph, political science freshman, grew up in a house full of basketball players and began playing at an early age.
“I was 6,” Joseph said. “My oldest sister was a ball player and my dad was a ball player. I had a (basketball) goal at the house and I was making shots.”
In addition to his family’s involvement in the sport, all of Joseph’s friends played basketball, too. “The group I hung out with (was) ball players” Joseph said.
Joseph accredited his father, a middle school friend and a competitive catholic high school basketball league for the strong work ethic he has developed.
“In middle school I had a buddy who was a big work horse,” Joseph said. “He said ‘everyday you’re not working someone else was working’ (and) my dad said practice how you play.”
Joseph said college basketball is “more competitive” than high school basketball.
“It’s a lot faster, you have to make decisions a lot quicker. People are quicker, stronger, (and) faster,” Joseph said. “People play with all their heart.”
Joseph, a New Orleans native, said he came to Loyola for a number of reasons.
“The coaches really convinced me and a lot of people in the city convinced me. They said it was a good school (and) I liked the (basketball) players … I knew if I came here I’d get to play ball and get a good education,” Joseph said.
Additionally, while Joseph readily admitted he initially wanted to go to a school “far away,” he knew he would miss New Orleans.
“I always wanted to leave for college, but when the time came, I was afraid of being homesick,” Joseph said.
Joseph said he is fortunate to be a part of the basketball team’s regular rotation.
“It’s very competitive because nothing is promised,” Joseph said. “You have to work hard everyday and play hard. You want to help the team. I feel blessed to be in the rotation.”
Optimistic about next season, Joseph is ready for improvement for both him individually and the team as a whole.
“I look to be more of a scorer, for my team to have confidence in me and to encourage others,” Joseph said. “For my teammates I want us to come together and win a championship.”
While it’s uncertain whether the men’s basketball team will win a championship in the next three years Joseph remains at Loyola, with players like Joseph, one thing is certain: they’re headed in the right direction.
Kimble Wright can be reached at [email protected].
