In this week’s Q and A, the Bellevue Reporter sat down with Bellevue High School senior Nate Sikma. Sikma averaged nearly 19 points per game in this year’s 3A state tournament, including a game-high 28 points in the title game to propel the Wolverines to a state runner-up finish. Still undecided on where he will attend school and play next fall, Sikma has garnered offers from schools on the East Coast and said he is beginning to see more interest from schools closer to home as well.
Bellevue Reporter: So everyone knows about your dad’s playing career here as a member of the Supersonics. What is the toughest part about having a professional athlete as a father?
Nate Sikma: “I would say just his knowledge for the game. It’s good because I can learn a lot from him but he’s kind of a perfectionist. There’s a lot of stuff he would notice and he would want to tell me right away after the game. He notices a lot more than the average parent would so you have to be ready to accept that criticism.
BR: Your older brother Luke had a great college career at Portland, but what part of your game does Luke wish he had?
NS: Offensively, maybe a little more aggression. I think I was a little more aggressive offensively than Luke was, but he’s a great player and I learned a lot from him.
BR: What part of Luke’s game do you wish you had?
NS: He was obviously a great defensive player and great rebounder. He had great athleticism, which I wish I had from him.
BR: Who wins in a game of 21, Jack Sikma, Luke Sikma, or Nate Sikma?
NS: Right now, me or Luke. I’d probably give it to Luke. If it’s a shooting contest it’s my dad all the way, but he’s definitely not winning if he has to move.
BR: Which is more fun: the state tournament, or the pick-up run at the Bellevue Athletic Club?
NS: The state tournament definitely. It’s hard competition at the BAC; I go there everyday and I have the greatest times playing but it’s definitely the state tournament because you’ll remember that forever.
BR: Friends of Hoop is one of the elite select teams in the area, but be honest, you’re the most dangerous player that suits up for FOH, right?
NS: No. I mean you’ve got guys like (University of Oregon commit) Brett Kingma (Jackson), (UW signee) Hikeem Stewart (Rainier Beach), Mitch Brewe (Seattle Prep) was on that team. It was kind of weird trying to fit in with them because I don’t have maybe the great offensive game that those guys had but I had a lot of fun playing with those guys, they have great personalities.
BR: Without having to carry the scoring load, what was your role amongst so many other stars on FOH?
NS: Playing with any team, I think I kind of have an affect on the guys I play with making them better.
BR: Finish this sentence: Nate Sikma is…
NS: A winner.
