The Northern Star caught up with NIU men’s basketball starting guard Darion Anderson.

The freshman stepped off the court to explain his nickname and talk about meeting a hero during a basketball game in Chicago.


Northern Star: Your real name is Darion Anderson, but you go by Jake. Where did you get your nickname from?

Darion Anderson: Actually it’s short for my middle name Jakeon.


NS: Why do you choose to go by your middle name?

DA: My family just started calling me Jake.


NS: You attended Carver Military Academy. What was it like going to school at a military academy?

DA: It was fun; I learned a lot of things. It showed me how to remain disciplined.


NS: You grew up in Chicago; do you have a favorite Chicago sports team?

DA: The Bulls.


NS: Have you gone to any of their games.

DA: Yeah, I’ve been to a Bulls game – a Bulls game and a Bears Game.


NS: Have you ever met any of the players on those teams?

DA: I met Michael Jordan. [I was] just playing basketball in Foster Park in the south side of Chicago.


NS: Did he give you any good basketball advice?

DA: Yeah, but we got to keep that a secret.


NS: I read in the NIU Basketball program that you fear nothing, is that true?

DA: Yeah.


NS: Spiders?

DA: No.


NS: Snakes?

DA: No.


NS: Coach Patton?

DA: No. Not at all.


NS: Do you have an embarrassing sports moment?

DA: Tonight’s game. With all the turnovers I had.


NS: What is your best non-athletic talent?

DA: I like to draw.


NS: What kind of stuff do you like to draw?

DA: All types of things. Nothing in particular.


NS: What is something not many people know about you?

DA: A lot of people don’t know I like to watch cartoons a lot.


NS: What kind of cartoons?

DA: Old cartoons like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry.


NS: I love Scooby Doo, best cartoon ever.

DA: My little sister loves Scooby Doo.


NS: Do you only have one younger sibling?

DA: I have two younger sisters. And they watch cartoons with me all the time.

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.