Q&A with the Newcomers: Kyle Marks

Kyle Marks has seen plenty of success in his basketball career.  One of six newcomers on the 2005-06 Nebraska basketball team, Marks helped DwyerHigh School to back-to-back Class 5A state titles in Florida and averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game as a senior. 

 

The 6-7 forward graduated as the school’s all-time blocks leader with 275 rejections thanks in large part to his great wingspan.  That same frame also helped him win the 2005 FHSAA dunk contest.  He also earned all-conference honors and was selected first team all-state by the coaches association and third team by the Florida Writers Association last year.

 

Each week before the start of regular-season practice in mid-October, Huskers.com will feature a different newcomer in a Q&A session. We caught up with Marks on Thursday following the team's conditioning session and this is what he had to say:

 

H.C: Everyone has talked about how long your arms are, so what is your wingspan?

KM: My wingspan is just over seven feet. (Editor's note: His wingspan is 89 3/4 inches, or nearly 7 1/2 feet.)

 

 

H.C: With that wingspan, you must have had quite a few dunks and blocks in your career. What was your most memorable dunk?

KM: My very first dunk.  I was in the ninth grade and it was a fast break.  Somebody laid the ball up and missed it, and I just caught it off the rim.

 

H.C: If you could dunk on anyone, amateur or professional, who would it be?

KM: Aleks Maric.

 

H.C: What part of your game do you think will surprise people the most?

KM: My shooting. 

 

H.C: What’s the best way to describe your game in one word?

KM: Athletic. 

 

H.C: Would you rather play the three or four spot on the floor?

KM: I would like to play the three. You get to shoot the ball and play a lot of defense. But I played with my back toward the basket most my life at the four and five, so I can really do either.

 

H.C: How do you see the future of Nebraska basketball?

KM: It’s time to get back to the tournament and we’re on our way.

 

H.C: How is the team coming together with all the new guys?

KM: It’s coming together all right.  (The newcomers) have a lot of changes and a lot of things to adapt to.  We have to get better every time we step on the court.

 

H.C: Who have been the main leaders of the team?

KM: Wes Wilkinson and Jason Dourisseau.  Jason is cool, and he lets you know what the deal is when you step on the court. They let you know what you have to work on.

 

H.C: Why did you choose Nebraska?

KM: I am from the south and I got tired of the atmosphere; you’re always in the heat. So I thought I would come up here and see what it feels like to be a Cornhusker. I am used to the big city, but everything is right around you here and you don’t have to go out of your way to find things.

 

H.C: What’s it been like getting acquainted with college?

KM: It’s a big change.  You work out a 5 a.m., and go to class and then work out again.  I had never done that before.

 

H.C: What are classes like?

KM: I have a sociology class with a lot of people in it.  I have never been in class before with more than 30 kids, and there is 250 here in this one, one of my toughest classes. 

 

H.C: What do you do in your spare time?

KM: I listen to music all the time.  When you see me, I always have my iPod.  I’m always listening to music, no matter what.

 

H.C: Who talks the most on the court among the Huskers?

KM: Joe McCray.

 

H.C: What was Joe McCray’s influence on you coming to Nebraska?

KM: With him also being from Florida, the influence was big because he was saying to come here and take over. 

 

H.C: How did you spend your summer?

KM: Working out. I came to Lincoln on June 6 and I've gained about 20 pounds since I got here.

 

H.C: Is there any significance to your jersey number?

KM: I have had that number since my first year in high school, and I’ve wore it ever since.