Behind the jersey: A sit down with 3 men’s basketball players

When you think about the Miami University men’s basketball team, it’s easy to jump straight to the highlights: last year’s 25-9 season, this year's promising three-game winning streak and a strong roster highlighted by both experience from the upperclassmen and potential from the freshman recruiting class.

You rarely think of the players – at least, not as people beyond a number and a stats sheet.

The Miami Student sat down with junior wing Eian Elmer, junior guard Jackson Kotecki and senior guard Peter Suder in an unconventional interview to talk superpowers, superstitions and more.

Questions and responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Which NBA team do you root for, and who is basketball’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT)?

Suder and Elmer both picked LeBron James as their GOAT, despite cheering for the Pacers and “whatever team LeBron is on,” respectively.

Kotecki opted for a more controversial choice, naming Kevin Durant as the GOAT and the Rockets as his favorite team. It’s a wild pick for a basketball player from Chicago, a city famously linked to Micheal Jordan.

Do you have any superstitions?

The athletic world is famous for its superstitions, and these three men are no different.

“I wear the same socks for every game. Like, the same exact pair,” Suder said.

Elmer also has a clothing-based superstition.

“If I just had a good game in a pair of shoes, those are the shoes I’m wearing for the next game,” Elmer said.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

If you were a time of day, what time would you be and why?

“I’d be 8 p.m.” Elmer said. “It’s the best part of the day. After dinner, it’s just chill and relaxed, you know?”

“10 p.m. on a Friday,” Kotecki said, “with nothing to do the next day.”

Suder took a broader approach and said he would be the morning, “because that’s when the sun comes up.”

What is your favorite and least favorite part about being a college athlete?

“The best part is going out to eat with the guys and just chilling [with the team],” Kotecki said. “The hardest part is that it’s a lot of work. You have to be dedicated.”

Suder and Elmer lightheartedly argued over who would go next, worried the other would “take their answer.”

Suder won, and he said the best part is the brotherhood that comes with being on such a close-knit team, and the worst part is balancing school and basketball.

Elmer followed suit.

“The best part is definitely your team [and] building lifetime friendships,” Elmer said. “The worst part is traveling and then having to go to class in the morning. It’s the worst thing ever.”

If you could eradicate one food, what would it be?

Elmer was quick with his response.

“I don’t even know what it’s called, but it’s in soup,” Elmer said. “Those little green pieces? It’s like celery. Not peas – it’s chopped up. ”

After clarifying that he was talking about celery, Elmer confidently picked that as the food he would get rid of.

“I’m going to say black olives.” Suder said. Elmer agreed wholeheartedly.

“Brussel sprouts,” Kotecki said “They’re so gross.”

What’s one piece of advice that’s always stuck with you?

“Mine would be, ‘The work is going to show,’” Elmer said. “What you put in is what you get out, and if you only do a certain amount, you’re not going to get everything you want.”

Suder’s advice reflected his feelings over what will be his final college season.

“It goes by too fast,” Suder said. “Don’t waste it. I feel like yesterday I was starting my freshman year playing college, and now I’m already a senior in my last year.”

Kotecki also said to be in the moment, adding that he tries “to live where his feet are.”

What’s your best quality?

Kotecki started by saying he’s a positive person but was cut off by Suder with a, “Dude, no you’re not.”

“I’m always having a good time, wherever I am.” Kotecki amended.

Suder said his own best quality was that he’s a “people person,” and that he genuinely cares.

There was a brief pause before Elmer answered.

“I’m just a joy to be around,” he said.

What did you want to be when you were little?

It shouldn’t be a surprise that both Suder and Kotecki always dreamed of going to the NBA.

Elmer took a different athletic route.

“I wanted to be a WWE wrestler,” Elmer said. “John Cena was my GOAT, man. He really inspired me.”

Are you surviving the zombie apocalypse?

A unanimous “yes” was given, which led to a discussion of how they’re surviving.

“I’m going wherever Dan Luers is.” Suder said, while Elmer reassured everyone he would be “too fast” for the zombies to catch him.

“But I’m not living more than 10 years, though,” Elmer said. “If things aren’t looking better, I’m leaving the Earth.”

Kotecki agreed.

“If it’s a year-long zombie apocalypse, I’m fine,” he said.

If you could wake up tomorrow with one skill, what would it be?

“I want to be able to speak French or something,” Kotecki said.

Elmer chose the ability to sing.

Suder brought things back to basketball.

“I would wake up with a 40-inch vertical,” Suder said. “Or the ability to play piano.”

What superpower would you choose?

“Super speed – best one,” Elmer said. “What’s flight going to do for me? I could do anything fast. You’re going to fly to clean your room?”

With the idea of cleaning on his mind, Suder chose telekinesis.

“I could move stuff with my mind and just clean my room while sitting,” he said. “Everytime you shoot the ball: boom, buckets.”

“If I could teleport, that would be tough,” Kotecki said.

If you were athletic, what sport would you play?

“Well, this is a troll. You’re trolling us.” Elmer said.

“Yeah, are you athletic?” Suder asked Elmer. “Because I’m athletic.”

Still, they decided to play along.

“If I were athletic, I would play pickleball.” Elmer said.

Suder cut in to say that if he was athletic, he would play tennis.

A side conversation broke out over who was the most athletic, with Elmer, Suder and Kotecki debating over the different levels and types of athleticism. Elmer and Kotecki both argued they were the most athletic in the room.

greenpt@miamioh.edu