Interview With Texas Tech Guard Luke Adams
The Texas Tech Red Raiders won just Big XII game during the 2011/2012 basketball season. They finished the year 8-23 overall, in fact. But as the season got underway this year, there was a player that caught my attention. A wiry, 5'9 150 pound kid who wore always seemed to be sporting a white UnderArmor headband during games. That kid was Luke Adams, a freshman guard for the Red Raiders. He was a prolific high school player, averaging almost 27 points a game as a senior for Big Springs High, but had few Division 1 offers to play basketball. Luke also has unique disposition on the basketball court: He was born deaf. In fact, he wears the headband during games to keep his cochlear implants in place so that he can hear the referees whistle, coaches plays, and teammates while on the court. Luke was kind enough to answer some questions for us recently that we sent him via facebook:
SPORTS HORN: Luke, first, tell us what it was like making the transition from high
school to Division 1 basketball this year. You were obviously very
prolific high school player!
LUKE: It was a big adjustment. I played a lot with Junior college players at
howard junior college in Big Spring. I played with players such as Jae
Crowder at Marquette so I have been around some great players.My dad
Mark Adams is the coach there. That obviously helped but adjusting to
the Big 12 is almost impossible to do. Obviously you have to work hard
every single day. I scored alot in high school around 27pts a game. Half
the games were box and 1 defenses. 16 to be exact. Scoring in high
school helped but it still didnt get me many offers to play div 1 ball
which was my dream. many coaches still said I am too small, not talented
enough, or just couldnt play at this level especially the big 12. High
school helped me a lot but mainly God helping and leading me through the
doubts of everyone else. I knew that HAVE to be the most skilled
player, smart and especially tough. I still have a long way to go and
need to improve a lot.
SPORTS HORN: You seem like a very personable guy. One TV broadcaster said that you
loved making new friends on facebook! Do you consider yourself to have
an outgoing personality?
LUKE: haha well I try to be outgoing as possible. I want to give back to the
people who have supported me. I have been blessed to be where I am and
hopefully motivate and change other peoples lives.
SPORTS HORN: Obviously, you play basketball with cochlear implants. Tell us what that
experience is like. Do they hamper you at all while you are playing?
LUKE: My cochlear implants have changed my life. I was loseing hearing in my
right ear. I am extremly blessed to get a cochlear. I was born deaf and
the dr. told my parents at age 3 that I would never read above a second
grade level, and they should ship me to a deaf school in austin texas to
learn to sign and live in the deaf world. My parents never gave up and
God helped them to stay strong. They are the reason why I am where I am.
I am extremly blessed and grateful for that. Playing with it isn't so
bad, I haven't really thought about. I do not have a choice. I try not to
feel sorry for myself bc people don't really care. I know that sounds
harsh. lol
SPORTS HORN: How do opposing players treat you? Do you feel like any guys were out
there talking trash to you? Or were you mostly treated with respect
during your first year?
LUKE: I think opposing players treated me a little different because they knew and
thought I didn't belong on the court and in reality I do not. But that is
how my whole life has been so I can not control what they think. I did
not hear much trash talking and if they did I probably did not hear them
very well. lol
SPORTS HORN: How do you feel about Texas Tech basketball moving forward with Billy
Gillespie? Many people think he will turn that program around very
quickly.
LUKE: Gillespie is a great coach and his specialty is turning around programs.
He works harder than anyone in the country and I have confidence he
will make us a top 25 team in the years to come.
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