DRIVE Basketball :: Inside DRIVE : Player Spotlight : Calvin Westbrook

(Pictured: Calvin Westbrook played for the U-17 provincial team this past summer and has been a standout in the local high school hoop scene for years. Look for Calvin this year as one of the top juniors in BC pictured here in his hometown of Courtney BC.)

Q&A WITH CALVIN WESTBROOK

DRIVE: How long have you been playing basketball for?

CW: I've been playing basketball seriously since the end of gr.7.

DRIVE: Which basketball player do you model your game after?

CW: I can’t really say I purposely model my game after anyone; I just try to take moves and other parts of great player’s games and incorporate them into mine.

DRIVE: How was your experience playing for the U-17 provincial team as an under age player?

CW: This summer was an incredible learning experience for me. I got to play along side the best gr.12's in the province and learn how hard they work day in day out to improve their games. It's great when you have a team who practices together 4 hours a day going 100% all the time, there's no way you can’t improve. The coaching staff on the provincial team was so experienced. Between Coach Allen (WRCA) and Coach Goulet (Pitt Meadows) you have more provincial championships then almost anyone else in the province. They taught me so much about the game and how to conduct myself on the floor. I can’t wait for the opportunity to try out for their team next summer again. Chad was also a great mentor coach as he gave us his perspective from a player’s point of view, I can’t thank him enough for the work he put in and the encouragement he gave me.

DRIVE: How often do you work on your game?

CW: I work on my game everyday, for between 2 and 4 hours. On a practice day ill spend four hours to do an individual workout and a team workout, but on off days I'll spend 2 hours in the gym working on my weaknesses and getting between 500 and 800 shots up.

DRIVE: What do you think your best qualities are as a basketball player?

CW: I just try and work as hard as I can when I'm on the floor, I'm always looking for opportunities to drive and kick to my teammates or step into a three or a mid-range pull-up. I also love the opportunity to get out in the open floor on the fast break.

DRIVE: What is your approach to each game?

CW: Every time I step onto the court this season I want to leave it all out there. I hate the feeling of leaving the gym and knowing you could have done more to help your team win.

DRIVE: What are your team goals for this season?

CW: Our team goal for the season is to make provincials. This means winning our league and getting top 2 at North Islands for a good seed going into the Island championships. There are a handful of solid teams on the Island this year so it'll prove to be a challenge, but that’s what we're looking for.

DRIVE: What are your future goals involving basketball?

CW: Short term, I would like to get a scholarship and represent a university north or south of the border. Long term I would like to play professionally over seas and represent our Canadian National team.

DRIVE: Who is the toughest player you've played against?

CW: The toughest player I’ve ever played against is Tyrell Mara hands down. I play against Tyrell every session at the Centre for Performance and facing him in games, one on one or even just in drills raises my level of play. He is a great leader and makes players around him better.

DRIVE would like to wish Calvin Westbrook and his GP Vanier teammates the best of luck this season.