Athlete Profile: Justin Knaup

Senior filling up stat sheet for Tigerton boys basketball team

A season ago, the Tigerton High School boys basketball team won just two games. As of Jan. 10, the Tigers already had two wins this season, with plenty of time to surpass last year’s win total. The play of senior Justin Knaup is part of the reason why the team is making positive strides.

Knaup is averaging 7.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game this season.

After scoring in double figures once over the team’s first six games, Knaup scored in double figures in the team’s three games between Dec. 22 and Jan. 5. He tallied 17 points against Northland Lutheran on Dec. 22, 10 against Sevastopol on Jan. 4 and 19 against Almond-Bancroft on Jan. 5.

Knaup had a season-high 13 rebounds during a game against Manawa on Dec. 11. He also scored 10 points in that contest for his first career double-double.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: I first started playing basketball in sixth grade, and I’ve liked it ever since.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: My favorite part about the season is the first game. After putting a lot of work into practice, it’s great to see it pay off.

Q: As a senior, how do you help lead your team?

A: I like to be positive and to motivate people to do their best.

Q: What has basketball taught you over the years?

A: Basketball has taught me that in order to be successful, a team must work as one mind and always be ready for anything.

Q: What’s the biggest key to success for your team the rest of the season?

A: Our team’s biggest key to success is to keep our heads up and be positive no matter what happens.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you hope to achieve or team goals you want to help obtain by the end of this season?

A: An individual goal that I have had for a while is to score over 20 points and get a double-double in the same game. I am getting very close to achieving this goal.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a game?

A: I do not have any specific rituals that I do, but I like to try and hype up my team before the games.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Tigerton boys basketball team?

A: My best memory playing basketball in Tigerton has to be the game I got my first double-double (against Manawa on Dec. 11). My team and my family were very proud of me for achieving this goal.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “Supernatural.” Movie — “The Fundamentals of Caring.” Musical artist — I don’t have a specific artist I prefer, but I’m a fan of rock music.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: Something that very few people know about me is that I want to travel to Ireland and visit all of the castles and the cliffs.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: Some great advice is to enjoy your time in high school and never miss out on a chance to have fun.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After high school, I hope to have a successful career as an electrician.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Justin Knaup

Sport: Boys basketball

Positions: Forward

School: Tigerton High School

Year: Senior