Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Josh Kirkpatrick, New Trier basketball and football

Josh Kirkpatrick is a senior guard for the Trevians. He scored 13 points in a sectional win over Rolling Meadows. Kirkpatrick was also an All-Conference wide receiver for New Trier’s football team.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Yes. Every day after school I’ll come home and my mom will make me mac ‘n’ cheese with a smoothie, and I’ll usually eat while I play my favorite video game, Clash Royale, to get in a competitive spirit. 

2. What are your plans for next year?

I got into the University of Chicago, so I am going to play basketball there next year. And I’m super excited. 

3. What is your favorite thing to do off the court?

School and basketball take up a lot of time. When I’m not doing those, I like to hang out with my team. If I’m tired, I like to watch Netflix. I’m a big TV guy. I love watching tv shows. 

4. What would be your dream job? 

If I didn’t have to worry about money at all, it would be fun to be like a movie critic. Just talk about what I thought and people would have to listen to me. I like analyzing stuff and going into detail. 

5. Football or basketball?

I’ve always been more of a basketball guy. Basketball is so much easier to practice and practice, and you can continue (playing) it. Football is tough. After a while, the wear and tear grows on you. After a while it gets old. 

6. If you could try another sport, what would it be?

I would join the tennis team. Freshmen year I was (No. 1) doubles on the freshman team. I am pretty confident in my abilities. It would be a lot to play three varsity sports, but tennis would be the most fun for me. 

7. What is one thing you cannot live without?

I guess microwave popcorn. I love Orville Redenbacher specifically. I have it almost every day or every weekend day.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

If I’m in a pretty good mood and trying to spend some money, I’ll buy some Tic Tacs, maybe a pack of Pokemon cards or like a yo-yo for my girlfriend or something. 

9. What is something people do not know about you?

I’ll do two real quick: One, I am pretty good at playing the piano. I played until sixth grade; and the other one is I am really good at card tricks. I had a phase during quarantine. I think I have good sleight of hand. 

10. What has this successful basketball season been like so far?

It’s pretty hard to put into words. It’s pretty surreal. It is kind of exactly what me and my teammates have been hoping for. Since like sixth grade, all we’ve dreamed about is going down state, having great record our senior year. Also since sixth grade, we’ve known that Glenbrook South is the team we’ll have to beat. It’s special that it will come down to them in the sectional. This season has been everything we hoped it would be.

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