Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Danny Houlihan, New Trier basketball

Danny Houlihan is a senior wing for the Trevians who has played varsity basketball for three years. He will compete with High Point University starting next year.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Before every game, I definitely go through my shooting routine. It helps get my shot ready and body warmed up. I’ve been doing it since sophomore year.

2. Why is High Point right for you?

It’s a good fit because they run the floor, they have a lot of shooters on their team, and the coach (Flynn Clayman) definitely loves shooters. It felt like a great fit for me.

3. When did you realize you were a shooter?

Freshman year. Before going into high school, I was more like a big man. Then, I transitioned my game into more of a wing player and that came with shooting ability. I gained confidence from then.

4. What is key to being a good shooter?

The one thing is being consistent. I try to get 500 shots up in the offseason every day. Since school started, it’s a little lower, but I’m still trying to be consistent. Also, having confidence, knowing that you put in all this work and knowing you can show it on the court.

5. Why 500 shots — seems to be a popular number for shooters?

I got it from Jake Fiegen (2023 graduate), who used to play for New Trier. We had the same shooting coach, Demontay Robinson. It’s from him and what he put into my game. Seeing how hard (Fiegen) worked showed me how much I have to work to be great.

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

It definitely would be soccer. When I was younger, I did soccer, basketball and swimming. I played soccer on travel for three years. I liked it a lot, but my coach only put me at defender, so I gave up on it.

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

Off the court, I like hanging with my friends — the summertime, going to the beach with them; going to the movie theater and seeing movies with them.

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

I’d say I’m buying some Skittles for sure, that’s probably my go-to candy, if I had to pick one. Then like a Propel (grape) or a Gatorade (white).

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

Something people don’t know about me, I’d probably say, is that I like to go hiking. Me and my dad visited Zion National Park (Utah) before the season. I like going sight-seeing and stuff like that.

10. What is the key for this team to meet its goals this year?

To win state, we definitely have to play for each other and do the little things. Last year, I thought we did that, but this year we have a lot more size. If we use that to our advantage and be aggressive, I think we have a really good chance of going far in state.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.