OwensboroLiving has been covering the Mavs since they announced in August they were relocating to Owensboro. In October we interviewed Alex Sanders, Jon Rogers, Mike Crain and Anthony “Jet” Jackson in our studio. In preparation for Saturday night’s opening game, here are bios on some of the other Kentucky Mavericks.
PJ Couisnard
PJ Couisnard is a 31 year old utility player who can play almost any position on the court. He went to Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas. He played 125 games at Wichita State where he averaged 10.5 points per game. After college he played in Hungary, China, and now 4 years for the Mavericks.
Where did you grow up?
Houston, Texas.
What was your influence to play basketball collegiately and professionally?
My Family
What did you want to be growing up?
A basketball player of course
What did you want to do after your years playing basketball?
I want to coach
Who was your favorite player and team growing up?
Paul Pierce, and The Chicago Bulls were my favorite team.
Who do you compare your game the closest to?
Paul Pierce
Do you have a pregame/postgame ritual?
Sleep
What is your greatest basketball achievement/memory?
Leading Wichita State to the Sweet Sixteen.
Rafael Johnson
The Manimal, Rafael Johnson, is a 33 year old power forward from Terrell, Texas. He went to high school at Terrell high School and played collegiately at Wiley College where he was a three time NAIA All-Conference. Professionally he has played 3 years. He was a JBL 2 2012 rebound leader-runner up and a 1 time ABA Champion.
Where did you grow up?
Terrell, Texas
What inspired you to first play basketball?
My uncle, Robert Shaw
What was your influence to play basketball at the collegiate and professional level?
Finding something I loved to do
What did you want to be growing up?
Professional Football Player
What do you want to do after your years playing basketball?
I want to coach
Who was your favorite player growing up?
Dennis Rodman
Who do you compare your game the closest to?
Dennis Rodman
Do you have a pregame/postgame ritual?
I pray
What is your greatest basketball achievement/memory?
Making this team and winning a Championship
Lamar Sanders
Lamar Sanders, aka L-Boogie, is a 31 year old from New Albany, Mississippi. Playing at a forward position, Sanders played 2 years NW Mississippi Community College, then 2 years at Lamar College where he averaged 12 point and 8.5 rebounds per game over 62 games. Since college, Sanders played 3 years for the Southeast Texas Mustangs out of the ABA, Jacksonville Giants for 1 year, and the last 3 years he has been playing over seas in Japan.
What inspired you to first play basketball?
All my family played basketball, so I kind of had to.
What was you influence to play basketball collegiately and professionally?
The love for the game.
What do you want to do after your years playing basketball?
I would really like to get into coaching.
Favorite player and favorite team growing up?
M.J. and the Bulls
Who do you compare your game the closest to?
Scottie Pippen
Tony Hooper
Tony, Hoop, Hooper is a 28 year old PG from Houston, Texas. An alma-mater is Aldine High School and then he went to college at Louisiana at Monroe where he is the all-time leader in steals. The 5’11” guard averaged 12 points per game in college. He played professionally in Houston and Jacksonville before joining the Mavericks 2 years ago.
Where did you grow up?
A place called The Jungle in Houston.
What inspired you to first play basketball?
I was short
What was your influence to play basketball collegiately and professionally?
Mugsy Bogues
What did you want to be growing up?
A pro basketball player or an astronaut.
What do you want to do after your years playing basketball?
I want to own my own business.
Who do you compared your game closest to?
Baron Davis
Do you have a pregame/postgame ritual?
Eating candy and listening to music.
Jerrell Lewis
The Man, Jerrell Lewis, is a 30 year old forward from East High School. He played his college Ball at Mississippi State and Tennessee State then professionally in Germany, Spain, and Morocco.
Where did you grow up?
Memphis, Tennessee
What inspired you to first play basketball?
Honestly, it just was something to do in my city. If you were not into anything negative, basketball was “the thing”. Good or not, it was fun.
What was your influence to play basketball collegiately or professionally?
I played AAU basketball with Memphis and attended the Adidas and Nike Camps. I met and played with amazing players from all over that I never heard of. Dwight Howard, Shaun Livingston, Joakim Noah, Glen Davis, Sebastian Telfair, Shawn Williams, Andre Allen, just to name a few.
What did you want to be growing up?
I remember when I was 6 years old my mom bought me a Chicago Bulls set, mainly because red was my favorite color. Also she gave me a Raiders starter jacket. After Christmas, I said I want to play football or basketball for 1 of those teams and always kept the gear to wear.
What do you want to do after your years playing basketball?
After basketball, I want to either coach or referee basketball.
Who is your favorite team or player?
I still watch Michael Jordan today. I don’t have a favorite basketball team but I am still a Raiders fan.
Who do compare your game closest to?
T-Mac, Jordan, Rip Hamilton
Do you have a pregame/postgame ritual?
Not really, just pray to God and hope to have a spectacular performance like Jordan.
What is you greatest basketball achievement/memory?
Playing in China and winning the Dunk Contest in Beijing.
Dwayne Lathan
Dwayne Lathan is a 26 year old Guard out of Louisiana. After playing high school ball at West Monroe High School, Lathan took the court for one year at Louisiana Tech, then 3 years at Indiana State where he averaged over 11 points and 4.5 rebounds a game. Since college he has played in Japan for a year then had a 2 year stint in the D-League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Where did you grow up?
Chatham, Louisiana
What inspired you to first play basketball?
My Father
What was your influence to play collegiately and professionally?
My father still keeps me going. He is a real inspiration to me.
What did you want to be growing up?
A Professional Athlete
What do you want to do after you are done playing basketball?
I want to coach.
Who is your favorite player and team?
Michael Jordan but I am a Cavs fan
Who do you compare your game closest to?
I play like Dwayne Wade but a better shooter.
Do you have a postgame/pregame ritual?
I pray
What is your greatest basketball achievement or memory?
In 2011 we were the Missouri Valley Conference Champions and got to play in the NCAA Tourney.
