BAKER — Derek Peoples wasted no time stepping into the Baker School boys basketball team's starting point guard position.
The freshman has impressed Gator Coach Janavor Weatherspoon with a basketball savvy and maturity beyond his years.
“I think Derek plays a lot of basketball,” Weatherspoon said. “He plays a lot of summer and (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball. He travels a lot and plays a lot of teams (from around the country), so I think he’s a lot more mature than his age.
“He’s a good ball handler. He’s always aggressive going one-on-one trying to get to the basket and kicking it out to the shooters.”
Weatherspoon said Peoples is the first freshman he’s ever started at point guard, but his age doesn’t matter when he steps on the floor.
“I knew he could play and he could help Baker a lot,” Weatherspoon said. “I knew he was a competitor. I knew he was young and I didn’t know how he would do on varsity, but he’s done well.
We now catch up with Derek Peoples.
How old were you when you started playing basketball?
I was 7.
What's the best part of basketball?
All of it.
What's the worst part of basketball?
Losing.
What are your expectations this season?
To win district.
If you had to pick a different sport to play, what would it be?
Football, because that’s my sport.
What is your favorite basketball experience?
Winning the AAU championship when I was 13 with the Hub City Royals.
What are your hobbies outside basketball?
Football.
What's your dream career?
I really don’t know. Professional football or basketball.
Do you want to play college basketball?
Yes. At Florida because I grew up a Florida fan.
What is your favorite movie?
“The Avengers.”
Who is your favorite singer?
Rich Homie.
If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
Goku.
If you could go back and live in any other period in history, which one would you choose?
I would live 100 years from now to see how the world is.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 13 things you didn't know about Baker's Derek Peoples