Peyton Siva @ adidas Nations Experience
Words. HShoop
Peyton Siva (photo. adidas)
At Seattle’s Franklin H.S., Peyton Siva is following a tradition of great point guards. What began with Jason Terry of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks continues with second-year pro Aaron Brooks of the Houston Rockets — both of whom led the Quakers to state championships in their respective careers — Siva is the latest superstar PG to wear the Franklin green and black. After putting up 19 points and five assists per game as a junior, the 5-foot-11 speedster goes into his senior season still chasing that state crown before heading off to Louisville in ’09. We got up with Peyton this past weekend at the adidas Nations Experience in Dallas.
High School Hoop: How has it been at the adidas Nations?
Peyton Siva: It’s good. The competition is good. My team’s played five games so far and won all five. You get to see how other players from other parts of the world play, and you can pick up new traits, new moves.
HSH: Do you think that at events like this with the international teams, being on Team USA puts a bulls-eye on your back?
PS: Yeah, everybody tries to beat us here. When you’re the American team, you’ve got big target on you.
HSH: What’s been the highlight of your summer?
PS: Here I dunked on this one kid, that was the highlight of this tournament for me. But when we were in Vegas, I had two game-winners.
HSH: What are some thing you’ve been working on to improve your game?
PS: Getting stronger, and working on my jumper. I want to get more range on my shot.
HSH: What went into your decision to commit to Louisville?
PS: I prayed on it. Louisville was always one of my top schools, and I kind of wanted to get away from home. Arizona was up there, too; they’re closer to home, though.
HSH: Did Terrence Williams (UL senior went to Seattle’s Rainier Beach HS) have any influence on your decision?
PS: Yeah. He’s not gonna be there when I get there, but he was a great influence. He told me how much he liked it there, and he showed me around when I went and visited. I loved it.
HSH: Now that you know you’re going there, how closely will you be following the Cardinals this year?
PS: I’ll be watching all of their games I can. I watched most of their games last year, too.
HSH: How do you see yourself fitting into Rick Pitino‘s system?
PS: They play the same way my high school plays, a lot of fast breaking and up and down. Hopefully I can come in and help ‘em out right away. I like to get up and down, and I think I’m pretty athletic.
