Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Sam Golden, Loyola basketball

Sam Golden, of Wilmette, just finished his senior season with the Ramblers. The guard is tied (with teammates Danny Lee, Trey Williams and Brody Munson-Johnson) as the winningest player in program history. He is committed to play for Denison University.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Not really. I’m not really superstitious, but I always try to put on uniform in the same way every game. I guess that’s kind of superstitious — shorts, then jersey, then socks, then the warmup stuff, then ankle braces, tie shoes and then I’m ready to go.

2. Why Denison?

I was kind of looking for a good balance of academics and basketball and also social life. I thought all of those things checked out. The coaches were super nice, the team was super nice when I visited. It was an offer that I couldn’t pass up.

3. What is your dream job?

I’m not really sure. I’m starting finance in college, so maybe along the lines of finance or business. Maybe I’ll go into sports management or something. I’m still trying to figure it out a little bit.

4. What is your earliest memory of basketball?

About fifth grade, playing for feeder teams. I played for the Loyola one and we were playing Maine South, our biggest rival at time. Our whole team had a great game and we beat Maine South and it was the best moment of our lives. Everyone went crazy. That was probably my earliest memory.

5. What’s been your overall top moment?

I’d have to say winning the Jesuit Cup (win against St. Ignatius) last year and hitting the buzzer-beater. That’s a moment I’ll never forget.

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

I think it would be football. I played football my whole life until high school, when I focused on basketball. I would like to play football again. That would be fun.

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

I like to hang out with my friends, play golf a lot. I play golf with my dad and a lot of my friends. I just like to do stuff; I never really liked to sit at home. So I like to stay active.

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

That’s a good question. I think I’d go with a Snickers bar, probably like a blue Gatorade and some sort of chips, like Doritos. But definitely a Snickers bar to start.

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

I have two sisters, one of them goes to Notre Dame and rows there, and another younger sister who always play volleyball and basketball. Maybe most people don’t know that.

10. What has Loyola basketball been for you?

It’s been awesome. Always super fun. Coach really emphasized building a brotherhood of guys, who have lifelong relationships. Being around the guys on this team has been super fun. We’ve had some ups and down but it’s gone pretty well.

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