When you grow up with a basketball coach in the family, it may be a little difficult not to get involved in the sport.
Casey Sophomore Casey Carroll, a sports management major and member of the NSU basketball team credits his father as his role model and the inspiration for getting involved in basketball.
“My dad used to be a Division I coach, so I grew up with it. Going to his practices, going to watch his teams play games,” said Carroll. “I love the game of basketball and watching him coach made me want to pursue it more. He keeps me into the game and gets me to do my best.”
His two brothers, Trevor and Spencer, both play basketball in college. Trevor plays at Youngstown State University and Spencer plays at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
“[My dad] coached at Yavapai College in Arizona and then he went to Youngstown State when I was 13. [I’ve been] watching him my whole life,” said Carroll.
Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Carroll attended Youngstown Christian High School until graduating and then enrolled at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pa. for a year. After averaging 21 points and 12 rebounds at Kiski,
Carroll attended Drexel University for two years before transferring to NSU.
“[Drexel and NSU] are great experiences,” said Carroll. “I didn’t really play a whole lot at Drexel. Drexel was still a lot of fun, very good competition just like here. But here I get more playing time and it’s a lot more fun than sitting on the bench.”
It isn’t all work and no play for Carroll, he know how to relax and have fun while still enjoying the game he loves. Friends, family and teammates have all witnessed Carroll’s amazing trick shot talent.
This special skill has made him a great H.O.R.S.E. player. H.O.R.S.E. is a friendly game where shooters try to get their opponents to miss from a stationary spot from where they have already made a shot. His favorite shot to make is from half court.
“I try to take it easy on people when I play H.O.R.S.E. I don’t want to embarrass them too bad. I’m pretty good at H.O.R.S.E. I’m not going to lie,” said Carroll. “I can make half court pretty consistently. It’s a pretty easy shot.”
Carroll is all business when it comes to officially sanctioned collegiate games and it has helped the Sharks add a new dimension to the team. For a short time recently, Carroll had a streak of 11 consecutive 3-pointers made.
This kind of outside production from a man of Carroll’s size, 6 feet 7 inches, is not common. This season, Carroll is averaging 11 points per game and 6 rebounds.
I sat down with Carroll before practice to ask him a few questions to help the NSU community get to know the transfer from Ohio.
What was your most memorable moment playing basketball?
“I would say my senior year of high school, playing for my dad actually. He was my high school coach too. We went to the district championship; we lost by two which was disappointing, but it was such a great atmosphere and one of the most fun games I ever played in.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I’m more of an all-around player. If I have a smaller guy on me I’ll take him to the post. If I have a big guy on me, I’ll take him outside. It depends on the flow of the game.”
What would you say are your strengths?
“Definitely a strength of mine is that I know the game very well. Growing up around it and having my dad as a coach I know kind of how the game should go and different plays.
Weaknesses?
“I don’t push myself as hard as I should to be the best I can be.”
What can the NSU community expect from you?
“I will give my all whether it is on the court or off the court, and I will try to be a good role model.”
What part of your game would you like to improve on?
“Definitely my ball handling. I still struggle a little bit with that because I’ve been a big man my whole life.”
Who is your favorite athlete?
“Mikkel Bang [Norwegian snowboarder], Adrian Peterson and LeBron James.”
Favorite food?
“I eat pretty much anything, but I’m going to have to go with ice cream. Cookies and cream.”
Favorite movie?
“First one that popped into my mind was ‘Star Wars.’ I’m a nerd like that.”
Who would you like to play one-on-one with?
“I feel like I would want to play Shaq just because he was one of the most dominate players of all time. And seeing how huge he is would be pretty cool.”
Have you ever dunked on someone? Can you describe the feeling?
“Yeah, a lot of people. It’s kind of like a rush of energy just to know that you just dunked on them.”
In a movie about your life, who would play you?
“It’s a tossup between Jim Carrey and Owen Wilson, but I’m going to have to go with Owen Wilson.”
