When Andre McCalla burst through the scene into Leeds Beckett basketball’s team, more senior members took him under their wing. McCalla now feels it’s time for him to do the same, and pass his knowledge onto the next group of upcoming talent at Beckett.
Andre said: “My biggest challenges have been patience and organisation, especially being patient with the fact that everyone on the team is a student, not just myself….I have to be there for people off the court, not just on it”.
After a difficult last season, only winning two games all season, Andre admits that going through an experience like that is humbling, and only makes him a better captain in the long run.
He said: “The setback of last season has taught me better organisation skills, the team has to be organised, so whether it be team photos or a committee meeting, Ive learn to make sure the team is there, I can’t do everything, but to do it the best I can”.
As well as the skills he’s developed from being captained, McCalla is still trying to better his game. He has always played basketball as a hobby, and put the extra work in before coming to University as he wanted to make the transition from 6th form basketball a lot easier.
Andre says that the coaching at University is a lot different to previous coaches he’s played under, and states its helped him develop as a player.
McCalla said: “My game looks completely different to what it did 3 years ago, my physicality, my IQ….. I’ve developed quite a lot.
Andre is currently going through his third and final year of basketball with Leeds Beckett, and is excited with the next generation coming through. Basketball is becoming more popular in England day by day, and the amount of freshers coming through is greater than ever.
Andre said: “If I had some advice for the next generation of players, it would be going into basketball, anything can happen. Make friends and treat it as an experience, enjoy the time you spend in it and make good connections”.
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