Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER
Hasan Abdul Hakim is a sociology senior from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and a guard for the UTRGV Men’s Basketball Team. In a Nov. 6 game in Omaha, Nebraska, Hakim led the Vaqueros against Creighton University, ranked No. 15 in the country, by recording a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds, which helped the team keep pace with the Bluejays despite a 99-86 loss.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: “I’m very good at NBA 2K.”
Q: Who or what got you started in basketball?
A: “It was actually LeBron James. I was a big soccer fan growing up, but I remember one time I turned the TV on and it was a playoff game. The [Cleveland Cavaliers] were playing the Boston Celtics, and I remember just seeing that and I thought it was cool. So then, the year after, I got into playing basketball.”
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model?
A: “I’d have to say my mom … because of all the sacrifices she made for me to be in this position to play basketball. [I was] not seeing it when I was younger … and taking it for granted. Now, [I’m] seeing the position that I’m in and just being grateful. I feel like that [has] paid off and that’s why I look up to her.”
Q: What practice drills help you the most in your position on the team?
A: “I feel like it’s just how you approach them. You could practice anything but, I mean, if you’re not focused on applying it or whatever the case may be, none of them are going to matter.”
Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?
A: “Rap. And if you’re looking for my favorite artist, NBA Youngboy, for sure. He’s the best.”
Q: Which shows or movies do you like to watch?
A: “My favorite show would be ‘Stranger Things’; that’s on Netflix. If you’re talking about cartoons, I’d say ‘Johnny Test.’ My favorite movie? I’d say ‘Avengers: Infinity War.’”
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: “Chilling with my girlfriend and … lifting or playing NBA 2K.”
Q: What is your biggest motivation?
A: “My family and the people around me. [I’m] trying to put them in a position to help them out the best I can. Also, not taking anything for granted and all the sacrifices they made … to put me in this position.”
Q: What do you like the most about UTRGV?
A: “Everything, just the culture. The only thing I would say I don’t like is the weather, how hot it is. If the weather was, like, anywhere near Canada, where it [is] kinda cold and there [is] snow and all that, then I’d say it’s the perfect place.”
Q: What are your biggest goals?
A: “For me, personally, obviously playing professional basketball. For the [team], I’d say making it to the NCAA Tournament. We’d still have to win the conference tournament at the end of the year. But yeah, making the tournament [and] everybody being in a position to get something out of this.”
–Compiled by Ali Halloum
