Heroes from far away - Kyle Swanston

When you hear a word, „Basketball”, which is the first thing what comes to your mind?

Whenever I hear somebody talk about basketball, I am usually filled with a sense of satisfaction that I have successfully attained this Sport not only as a hobby but as a profession.  Basketball brings a joy to my life and a sense of stability at the same time.  When my emotions are too high, it can bring me back to earth, and when I am feeling down and out of it, basketball is the tool that I reach for to put me back where I need to be.

Why and when did you start playing basketball?

Growing up in a smaller suburban area in Florida (Spring Hill), there is not much to do when you are a kid except ride your bike around and play sports.  I was fortunate enough to live within riding distance of my school and my local park so after school we would just ride there and play until the park shut down.  I grew up with a sister that was a letterman in Volleyball, Soccer, and basketball so I had some big shoes to fill.  I was unaware at such a young age but I would be following in her shadow until high school when I finally made a name for  myself.  I also had no idea that I would grow to be 6'7" (201cm) or be able to jump 40" off the ground but things just worked out in my favor.

I read You had athletic career on track in long jump and high jump. How many years spent on the track?

I was only on my high school track team for a year and not even the entire season.  Track was just something for me to do during my free time to stay in shape and help my school.  I enjoyed the track meets but track and feild never really grabbed my full attention, as basketball was engrained in my mind at that stage of my life.

Why did you choose basketball for your main sport?

Growing up I was a very good soccer (futbol) player and played on a traveling team all the way  through  high school.  I entertained a lot of sports and activities and I was very lucky to do so and have a family that supported me through all of the sporting events (baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, band, track and feild, etc…).  Going into my Junior year of high school I had to make a choice of sports to be serious about and what could help me through my future and I felt that I would have a great chance to go to college through an athletic scholarship in basketball at a high level.  I still enjoy playing the other sports but my main love will always be basketball.

Who is your role model on and off the court?

Off of the court I have never had 1 SPECIFIC role model to follow, but throughout my life I have met a series of extraordinary men and women who have shaped my life and taught me their own life lessons that I apply to my every day routine.  My parents have been great examples of course but in the past 8 years I have spent more time with college coaches, high school coaches, and professional teams to say that I have been pretty lucky in the company that I have kept.  Even though some of my high school and college coaches and I have had our differences, I would still give them the credit they deserve to acknowledge their role in shaping who I am today as a person and as a basketball player. I would have to say on the court I met a man in my Junior year of college named Louis Rowe, he went to JMU like I did but had his pro career in Belgium winning numerous titles and accolades.  when he came to finish up his schooling and help with the program I picked his brain for all his knowledge and information that I could use for my life and possible career overseas.

What is the most motivating thing for you? On the court, or in a private life…

As I was saying before, there has been a plethora of people who have shown their support to me over the years in basketball and life, but one fan will always stick out to me.  My grandma was one of my biggest fans and she always wanted to see me succeed.  she always wanted to see my dreams of playing professional basketball come to fruition.  She never got to see that day but I still do this in her memory and in hopes that she is still looking over me happy at what I am doing.  As a young adult I also remind myself that I am doing this as a profession and in hopes that I can have more options in the future.

What is the most important thing what you learn from basketball?

Over the many years that I have played this sport, I have met a very diverse crowd of people.  I have traveled the world, and will continue to do so until I can't play the game any longer.  I have learned that every culture has things in common and also things that are different about them, it is just how we handle the situations that we are put in that determines the outcomes of our lives.  Basketball has taught me how to make new friends, adapt to different environments, how to survive on  my own, and independence from the constant helping hand of friends and family.

You were a very good shooter in your high school and college career (3PT – 38,6%).What did you learn under HS and College years about basketball?

as a high school athlete, you never really work to your full potential because all of your god given talents are showcased and you are just beginning to be molded into the person you will become later on.  I was fortunate enough to have a VERY strict high school basketball coach for 3 years in John Sedlack who at the time, I thought was crazy, but in reality he was teaching me not only valuable lessons for the next level but also lessons in life.  Defense, the correct way to lay the ball up, right and left hand dribbling, shot selection, the "v-cut", proper form of a jump shot, and much more was learned in these 3 years of high school.  It was not the most fun time for me and I did not realize the value of the lessons that I learned until much later on in life.  My college years were a whole different level of reality check for me as I was no longer the biggest man on the court but just "average" and had to learn how to gain my competitive edge.  I learned over the next 4 years that repetition and practice were the things that makes a great shooter and scorer and also that offense was important but defense was the only way that offense is seen.  I was lucky to have coaches in college that had confidence in me and point guards that got me the ball in the right spots.  my senior season of college I led the CAA conference (Division 1) in 3pt field goals made and 3pt%… I followed that season with a season in Finland doing the same again and adding a scoring achievement of leading scorer in the league with 21.3ppg.

What is your favourite part of game? (inside or outside plays, defense, or offensive plays)

I love all aspects of this game.  there is something about fooling your opponent into thinking you are going one way and then going the other way.  Something about getting to the rim to find 2 defenders ready to block you and dropping the ball off to your big man for the easy 2 handed dunk.  I have always been a competitor and I think that basketball is a game of the mind so I love the way that basketball makes you think and mentally challenges you to adapt to the other teams game plan.  I would be lying if I diddnt say that I am a fan of flashy plays and nice dunks (I think every basketball fan is).

When did you decide that you would come to Europe?

I was actually going for my 5th year in college and got a call in the middle of August from my agent telling me that I had an offer in Europe and after a very brief talk with my family, it was decided that I would play basketball as long as I could because school and work would always be there for me when I was finished.  And here I am today.

What was the best and the worst thing in your first european season?

I would say that the best part about my FIRST european season in Finland was the fact that I got to spend it with great guys on a great team with great owners.  I am still friends with them all today and keep in contact with everybody through Facebook.  The worst part about being in Finland in the winter is how cold it was.  I am a native of central Florida so snow and ice are not fans of me and I am not fans of them hahah.

In your opinion, what is main difference US basketball between European basketball?

In college everybody is physically fit and in great shape.  It is a place that the bigger and stronger you are, the better chance you have to score and win.  As a result of the physical play, you won't see many americans that can play into their late 30's.  You will not see any remorse from the referees, as they will swallow their whistles and you will not go to the foul line.  The downside to USA basketball is the lack of basketball knowledge by a majority of players and coaches.  On the other hand in Europe you will find that everybody has somewhere from good to excellent basketball knowledge and can play until they are 40 yrs old because of this.  the game is not as physical in Europe and if you know how to play then the same people that were dominant in the NCAA in college are not as successful over here because they are sometimes too physical or out witted in a game of the minds.  passing and cutting come into play and as you will see in pre-season play when NBA teams play against European teams, its not always the biggest and strongest that win.

What is the most memorable moment, game of your career?

in 2011 I played for Knet in Spain and we won the cup championship and regular season championship, only losing 3 games the entire season.  The feeling of winning a championship and hard work being given a reward is very nice after years of losing in finals it is great to feel like a champion.  my most memorable game was in college when we beat George Mason at home, our biggest rivals and I had 19pts including some late 3's to solidify the win.  the fans rushed the floor and the rest is history.

You spent only a few weeks in our country. What do you think about hungrian people, life style?

I have been here for about a month now and I have not met a lot of people outside of basketball, but as the year goes on, if I remain in the country I am sure I will get to learn more about the culture and the people here.  I am a pretty friendly guy so i hope to make some new friends here.  my teammates are a great group of guys that are hard workers, but also find the time to laugh and have a good time.  Our coach is the same way.  He wants to win, and will prepare and put us in position to do so but he is always lighthearted and having a good time in the process.  It makes for a very easy working environment.

How do you spend your free time?

Being an American in a foreign country I like to spend my free time out doing things but as the winter comes, I will be spending less time outside and more time inside talking to friends and family back home on Skype and Facebook.  I also play Call of Duty online for PS3 and have probably watched EVERY movie ever made lol… if that gets boring then i'll probably end up playing basketball in my free time.

What is your favourite food and drink? Do you like hungarian cuisine?

I am always up for trying new foods and if i can try something new I will.  My favorite food so far in Hungary is the chicken and rice that I get from the local restaurant in the city square.  There is also a pizza place nearby called cicilia that I like.  one thing about the cuisine here is that it is considerably cheaper than in the United States and other countries in Europe (I am not mad at that).

Short questions:

Favorite…

Film(s): Anchorman, A bugs life, Kicking and screaming, anything with Morgan Freeman or Will Ferrel, Transformers 1,2,3, Space Jam, He got game, Megamind, Dispicable me, THERE ARE TOO MANY TO NAME...

Music: I listen to all Genres (hip-hop, R&B, country, rock, alternative) whatever I am in the mood for.  I think there are different occasions for different types of music.

Jersey number: 4

Player(s): Jordan, Kobe, Dwight Howard, Shaq

Team(s): whoever I'm playing for

Hobbies: PS3, beach volleyball, pool and darts, basketball

Place, country: Gran Canaria, Spain

Do you want to send (say) something for hungarian basketball fans, Kaposvár fans?

I want everybody to come out and support us at our local games.  If the stands are packed and the fans are cheering then it is like playing 6 against 5 and gives us a great advantage.  I look forward to meeting many of you and seeing you around the city.  If you see me (and speak english) dont be afraid to say hello :)

Thanks a lot for you answers!