Q&A with the Newcomers: Chris Balham

Freshman Chris Balham may have been born and raised in Paris, France, but he is now a member of the Nebraska basketball team who is ready to give the Huskers a triple-threat presence over the next four years.

 

The 6-8 forward moved to the United States about seven years ago and attended ShawneeMissionWestHigh School in Lenexa, Kan., where he averaged 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots per game as a senior. Behind his effort, Balham's team reached the Class 6A state championship game.

 

Balham has been known to take over the floor, and bring the crowd to its feet with a thunderous dunk.  We caught up with Chris following a practice this week and here is what he had to say:

 

H.C: Where did you grow up?

CB:  I was born Paris, France, and I was raised there. So were all my brothers and sisters.

 

H.C: When did you come to the United States?

CB:  I was about 12 years old, so just a few years ago.

 

H.C: Where was the first place you moved to when you came here?

CB:  First to Chicago and then I moved with my family to Kansas City before my sophomore year.

 

H.C: Is there anything you miss about France?

CB:  Nothing really, except maybe sometimes some of the food.

 

H.C: Since you've lived here, what food do you like the most?

CB:  McDonald’s.

 

H.C: You really haven't played the game all that long, have you? When did you start playing basketball?

CB:  I started to play during my freshman year of high school (during 2001-02 season).

 

H.C: What other sports did you play?

CB:  When I was in France, I also played handball.

 

H.C: You've been noted as being pretty strong in the weightroom. How much weight lifting did you do in high school?

CB:  Not that much. I did a little bit, but it’s all natural.

 

H.C: How intense has conditioning been so far?

What do you think of strength coach Travis Reust and his conditioning workouts?

CB:  He is extreme but he is a good trainer. He knows his stuff. Conditioning is something else, it’s crazy. It doesn’t bother me really because it’s part of getting ready for the game.

 

H.C: How is practice going for you?

CB:  It’s going well. I think things are coming along pretty good. It’s obviously harder here than high school, just things like there is a lot more running, but I’m getting used to it.

 

H.C: How are the other newcomers adjusting? Is everyone getting used to playing together and with the veterans?

CB:  We (the newcomers) are coming together pretty good, we’re getting to know each other. We’re learning how to play against each other and with each other, and it’s going well.

 

H.C: Can you talk about your recruiting process and why you chose Nebraska?

CB:  First, I liked it because it is close to home and I was real cool with all the coaches. They seemed real nice. Then I thought I could be successful here (on the court) and get my degree. And I got along good with the guys.

 

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

CB:  I think we have a pretty good squad. We should be good, but we still have to work on team chemistry and stuff like that. It's good, but we can get better. So watch out for us.

 

H.C: Do you like going to college close to home?

CB:  Yeah, because my family can get a chance to see me and I can go home sometimes. It’s close and nice to be only two and a half hours away.

 

H.C: What is the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make so far from high school to college?

CB:  It is a lot faster game. You have to be more responsible for your game and you have to get used to it.

 

H.C: What are you looking forward to the most for your first college game?

CB:  Just playing basketball. I can't wait to be out there, trying to do my best to help my team win.

 

H.C: Is there any basketball player that you like to compare your style of play to?

CB:  Yeah probably Ben Wallace and Amare Stoudemire.

 

H.C: What’s your favorite part of the game?

CB:  Dunking and blocking shots, and intimidating people.

 

 

H.C: We've heard you’re a pretty good dunker.  What is your most memorable dunk?

CB:  It was at a dunk contest my senior year and I won it. I jumped over somebody sitting on a chair.

 

 

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

CB:  I would like to dunk on everyone in the NBA. I want to dunk on Shaq, and on our team Big Al (Maric) too.

 

H.C: Does the team have any nicknames for you?

CB:  They call me Terminator and Big-C.

 

H.C: What is your favorite movie and best movie you saw this summer?

CB:  My favorite movie is Love and Basketball. The best movie I saw this summer was probably the War of the Worlds.

 

 

H.C: If you were playing another sport other than basketball, what would it be?

CB:  It would probably be football.

 

H.C: Is there any reason you chose to wear the number 32?

CB:  That’s Amare Stoudemire’s number.

 

H.C: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

CB:  First thing I do is I have to pray.