Episcopal Academy’s Nick Alikakos is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The 6-foot-7 junior forward has continued his hot scoring pace from last winter, when he averaged 19.6 points per game and he was selected as the Inter-Ac’s Most Outstanding Player for boys’ basketball (the last sophomore to win this award outright was EA’s Charlie Hickman in 1979.) In the past couple of weeks, he scored 33 points against Phelps School, tallied 35 against The Peddie School, and scored 37 against Episcopal High School of Virginia.
Q: What do you think has been the biggest key to your prolific scoring this season?
A: Using my versatility to score in multiple ways both outside and in.
Q: You grabbed 21 rebounds against Phelps School. What do you think is the biggest key to being an effective rebounder?
A: A lot of rebounding is just effort and playing hard, so I just always try to do those two things along with boxing out and getting good position. Also, I have gotten pretty good at reading the ball off the rim.
Q: What do you consider the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you working the most on currently?
A: My versatility, both offensively and defensively; and I am currently working on my athleticism.
Q: What (to you) has been the most memorable game of your EA basketball career so far?
A: Beating the Phelps School after being down by a lot [of points], because we haven’t beat them in a while.
Q: Who have been your biggest basketball mentors, and what has been the most important thing you have learned from each of them?
A: Rich Gordon, my CYO JV coach, taught me the fundamentals of the game which definitely are a big part of my game now. Neale Boyle, my CYO varsity coach, taught me how to lead a team and be a take over player. Orlando Hildago, my Team Final seventh/eighth grade AAU coach, introduced me to what basketball could do for me and my future if I worked hard. He pushed me to work my hardest in every drill and on the court. Coach Khayree, who helped coach me the last three years, always helped me work on my game and helped instill a strong work ethic in me to try to always be the best player when I walk on the court. Coach Craig Conlin has taught me how to always play my hardest. He pushes and encourages me to reach my potential when I am out on the court. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and to take pride in every play both defensively and offensively.
Q: You wear No. 23 — is there a reason you chose that number, does it carry any special significance to you?
A: Michael Jordan is my favorite player and I have worn that number for as long as I can remember.
Q: Who are your favorite basketball players? Are there any players that you try to pattern your game after?
A: My favorite players are Lebron, Larry Bird and Anthony Davis. I try to pattern my game after Gordon Hayward and Kevin Love.
Q: You started playing AAU basketball in fifth grade, and moved to Team Final in seventh grade. You have credited AAU ball with instilling an attack-the-rim mindset. What (to you) has been your most memorable experience in AAU ball? – can you share the memory with us?
A: I have had many good experiences in AAU and my team has won many tournaments all over the USA. It has allowed me to be invited to many Nike elite camps.
Q: What is your favorite school subject(s)? What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite subjects are English and history. I am interested in pursuing either business or psychology in college.
Fun facts – Nick Alikakos
Favorite book: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Favorite TV show: Sponge Bob.
Favorite movie: Patch Adams.
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Star 67.
Favorite team: Sixers.
Favorite place to visit: The beach.
Favorite color: blue.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
