Joshua Friedkin '16 Recruiting Profile

In 2000, at just 2 years of age, my family and I made the move from London, England to Oakland, California. Had my parents decided to stay in England, chances are good I would not be playing competitive basketball, much less college ball. That's why I believe that moving halfway across the world has influenced the person I am today more than anything else. 

I became interested in basketball at the age of 4. I learned how to play at the local YMCA. I joined my first AAU team - the Berkeley Ballhawks - when I was just 7. It was on this team where my love for the game was ignited.  

Through that team, I learned the impact that one great player can have on a whole game is tremendous. Not necessarily by scoring, but by controlling the tempo of the game, making the right passes, and taking and making the shots when they are there. I relish the leadership of being a point guard and welcome that responsibility.    

But more than anything, I want to be the best I can be so I can help my team win.

I learned that being a team captain - a team leader, doesn't come without work. I can't achieve the things I want if I'm not willing to put in the time. With this knowledge I became a complete gym rat, and my love for the game only increased.

Through basketball I've learned a couple things about myself.

First and foremost, I hate losing. I hate losing even more than I like winning. I remember games in 7th grade when I would foul out late in the fourth. I would cry, not because I couldn't play anymore, but because I knew that I could not help my team win the game. If there is one thing that I want to be remembered as, it is to be a winner. During my sophomore year, I answered Coach Treseler's call as starting point guard of a varsity team that had 9 wins and 18 losses the year before. Since then we have a combined record of 50 wins and 9 losses, including two league titles. I'm never satisfied with anything other than winning. 

The second thing I learned from basketball was off-court time management. More specifically, how to juggle school, basketball, and sleep into a 24 hour day. While it is far from easy, I'm becoming more skilled at tackling what's required of me to succeed academically and play basketball at a competitive level. Basketball has been the catalyst to develop that sense of time management.  

Looking ahead at college, I plan on earning a degree wherever I go. While basketball is my greatest passion to me, I understand that life is bigger than basketball. I plan to invest all of myself in both academics and basketball while in college. I will become the ultimate student-athlete.

I've never asked for anyone to hand me anything. Feeling and playing with a sense of entitlement is a recipe for failure. I've always had the mindset that I need to earn every single minute of playing time that coach gives me. And now I am excited at the chance to play at the collegiate level. The only thing I ask is a chance to prove myself. Being a 5'10 point guard in a world of 6'6 lengthy wings has never been easy and as the competition increases, I know it won't get easier. But that only motivates me to get better. I'm confident in my ability to be a floor leader for my college basketball team. Once you see my video, watch me play and meet me, you'll be confident too.

Thank you for taking time to read this,

Josh Friedkin