Nine Questions: Greivis Vasquez

By John And Jack Singleton

Greivis Vasquez played basketball for the University of Maryland for four years. In his senior season he was named ACC Player of the Year and won the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top collegiate point guard. Today, Greivis plays NBA basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Question 1: Last June you came to Severna Park for a basketball camp at Severn School. How did you like it?

Vasquez: I visited Coach Stan Brudish at Severn School for his summer camp. Severna Park is beautiful. Severn School has a great program. I loved being invited.

Question 2: How did you like living in Maryland? Did you ever get out on the Chesapeake Bay?

Vasquez: I love Maryland. I visited Annapolis once and road in boat but didn’t catch any fish. It was a bad day for fishing. I would love to make my home in Maryland one day. I don’t have a girlfriend right now but I would like to get married and have a family and live near the Chesapeake Bay.

Question 3: Who is your best friend in the NBA?

Vasquez: It’s hard because I’m new to the Grizzlies. I’m close with Mark Gasol. He speaks Spanish so that helps. Rudy Gay and I are good friends and we’re both Ravens fans, but I’m also a Redskins fan. So that gives us lots to talk about.

Question 4: How did Gary Williams help your basketball career?

Vasquez: His knowledge was helpful to me. I always listened to him and I went to practice every day to learn. I watched tape in his office. If you play basketball at this level you have to be willing to learn.

Question 5: Who were your favorite basketball players growing up?

Vasquez: Michael Jordan. When I was a kid in Venezuela they showed him on TV all the time. Jordan was a workaholic and he had great leadership skills. He was a winner. I also liked Jason Kidd, a big point guard I like to model my game after.

Question 6: What do you like to eat before a game?

Vasquez: I eat pasta three or four hours before a game, usually, pasta with tomato sauce or meat sauce. I eat rice sometimes, but I like pasta better. Right before the game, I might eat an orange or a protein drink.

Question 7: What other sports did you play growing up?

Vasquez: I grew up in Venezuela, so my dad started me out with baseball, which is big there. But baseball is a game that takes patience and I didn’t have patience so I went with a faster game – basketball. I still love watching baseball though.

Question 8: Tell us about your family?

Vasquez: I have an older brother. My mom and dad are here in Memphis living with me. I love having my parents with me because they raised me and I owe them everything.

Question 9: How does your Christian faith help you in life?

It helps me in every aspect of my life. I have a sense of peace because I know God has blessed me so much. I thank Jesus every day, no matter what happens, good or bad. My faith is what got me to where I am today.

A former Maryland Terrapin, point guard Greivis Vasquez was a first-round draft pick for the Memphis Grizzlies.