By Zaza Bubeck
My brother Zachary (Zaza) Bubeck is taking over my column this month because he got the awesome chance to watch a Phoenix Suns basketball practice. So, here he is, meet Zaza!
Hi, my name is Zaza and I love all sports. I’m obsessed with the Phoenix Suns, so when they invited me to their practice I was like: “This is going to be the best day of my life!” And it was.
The Suns have a new and neat training facility off Camelback Road. It’s a big gymnasium with a whole exercise area. When I walked into practice, the NBA players were running drills––right before my eyes! I could even spot Booker in the distance, along with my other idols: Chris Paul, Ish Wainright, Deandre Ayton, and more. I also saw Coach Monty Williams.
There were four sets of basketball courts, and the players closest to me were practicing three-point shots––passing and shooting––just the way I do on my team! And guess what? Every time players walked by, they gave me a fist bump! It was seriously the coolest thing.
After a few fist bumps, one of my dreams came true: getting to interview some players (and now they’re my best buds!!). Here’s some of my Q&A with Josh Okogie.
Me: When you were a kid, who was your favorite athlete?
Josh Okogie: Carmelo Anthony
Me: What do you eat on game day?
Josh Okogie: Breakfast is pancakes, eggs, and turkey bacon. Before the game, I usually eat rice, salmon, and veggies. After games, I load up on pasta.
Me: What were some of your childhood hobbies?
Josh Okogie: I loved jumping on the trampoline and doing all sorts of sports. I also played instruments––the tuba, trumpet, and drums.
Me: What’s the key to going pro?
Josh Okogie: Pro sports are full of ups and downs. The key to success is never giving up and trying your best.
Me: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Josh Okogie: I wanted to be a lawyer, basketball player, and engineer. Only one of those worked out, and that’s perfectly fine with me.
Me: What are your favorite things to do in Arizona?
Josh Okogie: I enjoy going to Top Golf and hanging outside. Arizona has beautiful mountains.
To top off my Suns practice experience, I requested a one-on-one game of Horse. Duane Washington Jr. challenged me to Pig instead, and it was a stiff competition. While he beat me by one letter, it was still the game of a lifetime and the happiest memory I’ll have forever.
Nicholas Bubeck is a monthly Epic columnist and CEO of creationsbynicholas.com. Follow him @creationsbynicholas on Instagram, and his family @mamaandmyboys
