Evanston guard Nojel Eastern, the 2016-17 Pioneer Press All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year, reflected on his senior season and his illustrious career in an interview with freelance reporter Dan Shalin. Eastern, an Evanston resident, also talked about his preparations for playing at Purdue next season.
Q: How did you feel in the days after the Class 4A supersectional loss to Young? Have you been able to reflect on what a great season you and the Wildkits had?
A: At first, it was surreal that we lost and that the season was over. At the same time, we did a lot of good things during the season. I realized that we created a brotherhood that can never be broken. I have taken the time to think about that, and over time have been able to look at what we did as a team and move on to the next chapter.
Q: Did Young’s winning the state title make the loss to them any easier to take?
A: Not easier at all.
Q: In a season full of highlights, what stands out?
A: The high point was when we were in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (playing in December’s Beach Ball Classic). We just had a great time, having fun, laughing, and we played our best basketball.
(After that) coach (Mike Ellis) in pregame speeches always referred back to Myrtle Beach. (That level of play) came back in spurts, and there were some things that we did better than we did in Myrtle Beach, but we fell a little short (of our goal) in the end.
Q: What was the most difficult time of the season?
A: We had one of our worst weeks after we came back from Myrtle Beach. I feel like we had the hardest time in practice that week because we came back as if we had accomplished something. We did have some great appearances (there) against good teams, but we were lacking (during the week) after that.
Q: Did you start training again immediately after the season or enjoy some well-earned downtime?
A: I did a lot of relaxing, getting the kinks and bruises out. I (didn’t get back with) my trainer or back in the weight room (right away), but I can’t stay away from basketball, so I was shooting shots. (After a planned spring break trip to Los Angeles and Phoenix for the NCAA Final Four) it’s time to get back to the grind until I head to college (in mid-June).
Q: What do you plan to work on in order to ready yourself to become a Big Ten player?
A: All aspects of my game. I feel like I have to work on quickness, strength, shooting, ballhandling. I’ll work out with my trainer (Octavius Parker) to get stronger, and probably as we get toward June, Purdue will have (a program) for me and I’ll start transitioning for college and doing their exercises and workouts.
Q: Though you have a few months before you graduate, what can you say about the last four years at Evanston both on and off the court?
A: From freshman year to senior year, it’s been a great experience. I created friendships that will never be broken. I learned so much on and off the court about being a student-athlete. As my career went on, it felt like more and more (children in the community and younger athletes) looked up to me and I had a bigger role I had to play (for the team). It’s been a great four years and I wouldn’t be the same player or person if I had been at a different high school.
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
