Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Evan Mintzer, Highland Park basketball

Evan Mintzer is a senior guard for the Giants. He recently put up 20 points in a conference game against Niles North and 18 in a nonconference against Cary-Grove.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I go through the same exact order of stretches in my routine and have similar conversations with teammates I talk with before a game.

2. What do you hope to do next year?

I’m hoping to go to either Michigan or Wisconsin and right now not too sure what I’m studying. My dad went to Michigan and I really like the school. I’m hoping to be close by, not too far.

3. What has been your top sports moment so far?

A game that was crazy was last year in (Jack) Tosh tournament. We played York. I was a junior and hadn’t played that much, but the game still mattered and we beat them in overtime. They hit a crazy game-tying three to send it to overtime, and we beat them in overtime. We were so excited in the locker room. It was just a great time.

4. Who is your favorite athlete?

I’d probably say LeBron (James). I’ve always looked up to him, watched him and been a fan of his. I’d always wear his jersey to summer sports camps and all that stuff. Out there, he’s a court general, a leader and I take some of that onto a basketball court – trying to be a good leader on the court for our guys.

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

Tennis or golf. I’ve grown up also playing tennis and golf but never really played competitively. A couple of my friends play tennis and golf. And I play all the time; it’s like a hobby for me. It would be cool to try out.

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

Hang with my family and my dogs (Oliver, a golden retriever; Macey, Havanese) especially. It’s down time and eases my mind off basketball.

7. If you could have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I’d probably go pasta. I grew up a picky eater and it’s the food I loved since I was a kid, buttered noodles. And sort of any type of pasta now.

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

I’m buying a kiwi strawberry Propel and Gardetto’s snack mix.

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

I’m a very, very good Ping-Pong player. I love Ping-Pong. … I have a Ping-Pong table, so maybe when we have a team dinner I’ll play some of (my teammates).

10. What do you, the Giants, want to accomplish the rest of this season?

We don’t judge our success on records, scoreboards or standings. Obviously the goal is to win, but we want to get better. We want to be connected. We want to show our nine concepts. We want to get better and then the wins the come. It’s been helpful with coach (Ross) Deutsch being a role model for us, and coach (Jason) white and (Mike) Paull, as well as David Isaacson and the other seniors … we’ve all been trying to be that type of leadership to help the juniors get better and make sure they are ready for next year. We want to have fun out there while also being productive.

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