Kevin Wallace Jr., a senior at Hugo High School, has been passionate about basketball since the fifth grade. “I started playing basketball in 5th grade, and ever since then, I loved it,” Kevin shares. “When I first started playing, I wasn’t good, but Coach Trent came, and he always told me to keep working hard—it’ll pay off.”
Kevin’s biggest influence is his family. “My mom and dad are my biggest influences,” he says. “Before my dad passed, he always told me I was the way out.” This advice motivates Kevin to strive for greatness both on and off the court.
This season, Kevin is focused on his role as a leader. “My role on the team is to keep everyone’s heads up and never give up. I make sure everyone knows if we’re in the gym for one hour, we need to have a good hour,” he explains. With team chemistry steadily improving, Kevin has set ambitious goals for the season: “My goal is to bring home the gold ball, ball out with my brothers, and have fun while playing the game itself.”
Training for Kevin involves more than just basketball. “A typical week of training for me is 100% on the court, rest after practice, and being a student-athlete. As Coach Shanklin says, ‘Take care of business in the classroom.’”
Overcoming challenges has shaped Kevin’s resilience. “The most challenging moment in my career was sitting out for two years,” he reveals. “I overcame that by working hard in practice, lifting weights, and learning the system.”
Kevin cherishes the community’s support, saying, “We appreciate the donations and love hearing the crowd yell for us. We love and appreciate y’all.” Looking ahead, Kevin is weighing two paths: “My plans after high school are undecided. I’m stuck between playing college ball or owning a plumbing company.”
Grateful for those who’ve supported him, Kevin thanks his mom, Coach Trent, Coach Shanklin, and his teammates for their guidance and encouragement. “I appreciate and love all y’all,” he says.
