Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Max Vogel, New Trier basketball

Max Vogel is a senior guard, a co-captain and two-year starter for the Trevians. He is the team leader in assists and will play for Colby College starting next year.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I’m not huge into rituals. I like to clear my mind and maybe listen to Drake before a game. Nothing too crazy.

2. Why is Colby a good fit for you?

I love their coaches, and obviously it’s a great academic school. And they have a really nice facility, a new athletic facility.

3. What would be your dream job?

I don’t know exactly, probably something in the business world. Both of my parents are in that world, and it’s something I want to pursue.

4. If you could play another sport, what would it be?

I’d probably try football. I was really into it when I was younger but didn’t end up playing in high school. I think I’d have a lot of fun out there — at wide receiver or cornerback.

5. When did you know basketball was your game?

I would say probably fifth grade. I was still playing baseball and soccer and then gave both up. I thought basketball was so fast paced and so competitive. The games went by really quick and I had a lot of fun with my friends. It felt like the fastest game for me, which is why I enjoyed it so much.

6. What’s been your top moment on a basketball court?

Probably either in Pontiac (holiday tournament) this year and beating Homewood-Flossmoor or probably, also this year, down in Arizona winning the tournament, coming back from being down 15 in the fourth quarter. That was a bunch of fun.

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

Off the court, I like to hang out with my friends. I’m a big movie guy; my favorite is probably “Prisoners.” So I like hanging out and watching movies.

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

If it’s a road trip, I’m definitely getting some Mike & Ike; that’s my favorite candy. Maybe some Dot’s pretzels and definitely a Vitamin Water, tropical mango if they have that.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

That I’ve lived in on the east side of the U.S., the west side and the middle. I was born in New York (lived there until 2 1/2), then moved to Glencoe (until second grade), then we lived in Seattle (second through fifth grade) and now in Wilmette.

10. What are one or two keys to a successful playoff run?

One of our biggest weaknesses right now is turnovers. We have to take care of ball, especially in the playoffs. Every possession matters. And we need to end each defensive possession with a rebound. We can’t let the other team get those rebounds. Especially with no shot clock (in postseason), we have to get rebounds and take care of the ball.

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