SPORTS BABE OF THE DAY CAMPUS EDITION PRESENTS: BRANDON BUSUTTIL , GUARD, BOWLING GREEN FALCONS, @bbusuttil05 ON TWITTER.
21 year old, 6’4”, 200 pound sophomore Brandon Busuttil just completed his 2nd year at Bowling Green with the Falcons Basketball team. Brandon is currently a Sports Management Major, taking his education seriously and currently holding a 3.5 GPA. He works extremely hard to get good grades, and received Dean’s List Honour this past semester. His future plans include trying to obtain his Masters Degree, and possibly an MBA! He hopes to work in Toronto with either the Jays organization or with in the MLSE.
This Kitchener, Ontario native graduated high school from St.John’s-Kilmarnock School in Breslau, Ontario, as well took an additional year at Grand River Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ontario to play basketball for one additional year to improve on his skills before college.
At age 14, Busuttil began playing travel basketball. The first team he played for outside of high school was the Cambridge Cenaturs, a Division 6 team in the Ontario Basketball Association. Brandon has also played for the Waterlooo Wildhawks, a Division 2 team in the OBA, as well as the Waterloo Wolverines another Division 2 team in the OBA.
Up until 10th grade Busuttil never saw himself playing basketball nor saw it as his passion. During his grade 10 high school season, he began to realize that he wanted to pursue basketball farther and aspired to be a Division 1 Basketball Player in the NCAA, in the United States. This began his training with IBSA(International Basketball and Sports Academy). He trained year-round with weights, as well as improving in all areas of his game including speed, agility, strength, and basketball mentality. Brandon was able to train under Zelimir Stevanovic, President and CEO of IBSA, the man Brandon says taught him everything he needed to know.
Brandon is a three-year letter winner, as well as three-time Team Captain, at St.John’s-Kilmarnock School, where his senior year in high school was his breakout year averaging 25 points per game. In 2010 and 2011, Busuttil was invited to the Michigan All-State Competition, as well was selected to play for Team Canada in the USA Junior Nationals. (A week-long tournament held in Columbus, Ohio at the USA Sports Academy.) During his second time playing in the USA Junior National Tournament, as the young age of 17 years old, Brandon received the Team All-American Award (Top 10 player in the tournament) out of all 237 players. During those tournaments he averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 assists and helped his team reach the championship finals where they lost by 4 points to Mississippi.
When he isn’t busy on the court playing games, in the gym training, or busy with school work you can find him doing what he usually does in his spare time, reading. Enjoying a variety of books including fiction, non-fiction, spiritual and philosophical books. Two of his favourites that he also recommends are “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand and “The Way of The Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Milman.
Brandon loves going back home when he has the chance, and also tries to visit IBSA as much as he can, to help out kids and assist them in becoming better players and better player on and off the court, just as IBSA did for him. And as if Brandon could be any better in helping people out, he use to assist in writing a blog for IBSA, he no longer has the time but his partner and good friend Nem Simic, now writes it. The IBSA blog is there to help adults and teenagers with the mental side of life and basketball.
He passed on the link to myself, and believe me it is worth the visit: http://www.ibsabasketball.com/
In between his busy schedule Brandon was kind enough to sit down with us and give us an interview.
21 QUESTIONS WITH BRANDON BUSUTTIL
1 .At what age did you start playing basketball? When did you realize you wanted to pursue it professionally? Did anyone have some influence on your decision to start playing?
I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old, I was a little taller than most kids and I hated skating, so my parents decided to put me in basketball. I realized in 10th grade after I scored 20 points in my final game of that season, that i wanted to start taking the game more seriously and persure it professionally. I made the decision then to start playing basketball, my parents enrolled me and no one could have ever guessed then I would be taking it this seriously today.
2. What is one thing that can instantly put you in a good mood?
The summer sun, and hanging out with friends and family! Nothing is better than that.
3. What are some obstacles you’ve had to overcome during your basketball career? If there are any!
I am very bad with obstacles. My 5th year I was in such a slump, for pretty much the entire year when it came to basketball. It eventually became one of the toughest things I had to work through, especially when it came to the point where I wasn’t having any fun with the game. Another obstacle I constantly face is that I was never naturally talented in basketball. I am proud to say all that I am today has come from pure hard work, and long hours in the gym.
4. Almost every guy has a pregame routine what is your and what is your go-to pregame meal?
My pregame routine consists of looking at the scouting report the night before and then getting a good sleep the night before. Make sure to have a good breakfast on game day, and usually getting to the gym to put up some shots late morning or early afternoon, then just relax until game time. I also have a routine where I have to put my game uniform on in a certain order and wear certain articles of clothing at certain times during warm up (like putting my jersey on, at the last possible moment before having to hit the court before the game.) The pregame meal I have is grilled chicken, pasta, and either green beans or broccoli with water.
5. What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am a sport management major. I chose it because I love sports in general and I think the only way I would like working is if it were in a field that involved sports.
6. If you weren’t playing basketball, what other sport would you be playing?
There was a point in high school where I had to choose to pursue basketball or tennis, as I was pretty serious in both sports. I obviously chose basketball, so I would most likely be playing tennis.
7. Not all athletes are class acts, with that being said how do you conduct yourself on and off the court? Do you consider yourself a role model?
On the court I play with my heart and leave everything I have on the court. I always remember I want to be the person that a kid who is at the game looks at and says, “I want to be just like him”. Off the court I try to interact with kids and teenagers of all sports to help them in pursuit of their goals. Knowing I never had the full support of people in what I do, and only really close friends and family believed that I could achieve my goal, I want to inspire kids to chase their dreams and never give up no matter how difficult it may be. Overall, I like to consider myself a role model, but by all means I still have a long way to go, to become the man I want to be.
8. How do you spend your off season?
I’ve honestly never really had an “off season”. The off season to me is just another season, where you don’t play games but you still practice…a lot. My off season is spent literally just in the gym. You can catch me in the gym 4-6 hours a day, with a mix of being on the basketball court and in the weight room. I literally can’t get away from the court no matter how hard I try. But when I do get away from it, I usually spend time with friends, just hanging out and catching up with them, as I don’t necessarily see many of them too often besides my teammates.
9. If I looked in your fridge right now, what would I find?
Water. There isn’t much in there. I survive off of my meal plan at school.
10. If you could be the DJ in the locker room, what would your 3 go-to songs be?
Money and the Power – Kid Ink
Bang Out – Tyga
Dreams and Nightmares – Meek Mill
11. What is your biggest accomplishment in life and in basketball?
Without a doubt my biggest accomplishment is playing in the NCAA Division 1. I have worked towards this goal for so many years I can’t even remember. It showed me in life that if you are willing to make the sacrifices and work hard day in and day out anything is possible.
12. What NBA team did you like growing up, and what players did you look up to?
Forever and always a die hard Toronto Raptors fan. But the players I have looked up to is of course Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James (I’m a huge Lebron fan.)
13. If you were on deserted island, what are 5 things you would want with you?
My best friends, a hoop, a basketball, music, and a blanket.
14. Name one embarrassing basketball-related moment?
I remember after a time-out in a high school basketball game, I think I was in 11th grade, confidently coming out of a time out I had to shoot two free throws, and the first one felt really good, but it came up completely short, and I completely air balled the free throw. However, I did make the second one, and thankfully not only was it an away game, it was an exhibition game, and we were winning by 25. But, the next day in practice my coach didn’t let me leave the gym until I made 20 free throws in a row.
15. What advice do you have for a young basketball player in high school looking to make the move into college basketball?
I think the biggest advice is to never give up. No matter who is telling you, you can’t do it, as long as you believe in yourself you will achieve whatever it is you wish to achieve. For those players who really want to play college basketball you need to work tirelessly at it. You must be able to make sacrifices in order to get in the gym. Never stop working on your game. One other piece of advice, the mental game of basketball is just as important as the physical. Train your mind just as much as your body, your body has unlimited potential as long as you think you can push your body to a limitless point. For example, if you aren’t shooting well one day, don’t get mad, stay poised, laugh it off, it’s not the end of the world. Stay strong, because you will have bad days and don’t ever let them get to you.
16. Do you have any guilty pleasures we should know about?
I have a huge sweet tooth. If it was healthy I would eat candy and baked goods for the rest of my life, and nothing else. I never get bored of that stuff.
17. Our readers want to know, single, dating or locked-down?
Dating. I have a beautiful girlfriend of, so far, 7 months, who somehow puts up with me and my crazy schedule.
18. How do you like being a part of the Bowling Green Basketball Team and community?
I absolutely love it. This team is an incredible group of guys, out of all 13 of us, I can easily say every single one of them is my brother and family. It is an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world, although practice sometimes can be brutal, I love it. All the crazy things that have happened being with this group of guys are memories that will really last a lifetime for me. The Bowling Green community, is one that is so close-knit being that it has a population of 30 000 and 20 000 are university students. The community is incredible! All of them are so supportive of BGSU basketball, and always make playing in front of them a blessing. For that, we always try to give as much as we can back to the Bowling Green community, although I don’t think we could ever match what they give us.
19. What are your plans for the future?
I will be working to become a professional basketball player, and definitely hope to make basketball a permanent job for me. But, if not, I am working for my degree to enable me to work in a front office job for a professional sports organization, and hopefully become president of that sport organization one day.
20. What do you want to be remembered for?
What I want to be remembered for is actually the same reason as to why I decided to pursue the sport of basketball at the college level. For every person that knows me, whether they are a kid or not, I want them to look at me and remember me as the person who never gave up on following his dreams, who worked tirelessly, and was the hardest worker. I want to be remembered by all, that I was the person who never stopped at anything until I reached what I set out to do. And by remembering me for that, I want to inspire those to do the same for themselves and set out to chase their dreams, no matter how crazy them may seem. They see me do it and say “hey, why can’t I?” and they go out and achieve those goals. I want to be the reason some people were inspired to go out and achieve what others thought could not be done.
21. Who should be our next SBOTDCE?
Filip Cvrkalj-Laurier Basketball Team
HOT SEAT WITH BRANDON BUSUTTIL
1. Name one player you’ve played with or against that you’re still in awe of?
Andrew Wiggins. He is one of the most athletic kids I have ever seen play the game.
2. What’s your favourite movie?
It’s a tie between The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and The Dark Knight.
3. What’s your perfect meal?
Cheese mashed potatoes, made by my mom, grilled asparagus, and a steak with peppercorn sauce on it.
4. Name a unique fact about you that no one else would ever guess about you.
I drink a lot of tea. By a lot I mean over 2 litres per day, and sometimes more. I use real tea leaves, and I have a 2.7 litre cast-iron tea pot, with cast-iron cups that I use.
5. Name a fear you have.
I don’t fear anything…except large heights, I’m not too good with being really high in the air (I’m fine with airplanes).
6. Favourite store or designer.
Burberry
7. Favourite city to travel to?
Montego Bay,Jamaica or Valletta,Malta.
8. What is your favourite show that you follow?
Dexter, Breaking Bad, and Entourage.
9. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Their eyes and teeth.
THIS OR THAT WITH BRANDON BUSUTTIL
1. Chocolate or vanilla?
Depends how I am feeling, but usually vanilla.
2. Going to the movies or Netflix?
Going to the movies.
3. Beach house or ski house?
Beach house.
4. Long or short hair?
Short hair.
5. Steak or chicken?
Steak.
6. Nike or Adidas?
I love Nike, but Adidas basketball shoes are more comfortable for me, and my school is sponsored by Adidas so I get all their free gear. So…Adidas.
7. Boxers or briefs or boxer briefs?
Boxer briefs.
8. Comedy or action?
Action.
9. Home or Away Jersey?
Home.
10. Rap or Country?
Rap
11. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner ?
Breakfast.
Thank you to Brandon Busuttil for taking the time to sit down with us for an interview!
Be sure to toss him a follow on Twitter: @bbusuttil05
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