BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HOOPS MADE HISTORY A YEAR AGO, REACHING THE CLASS 4A FINAL FOUR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
The Eagles would take that a step further by making it to the State Final game.
Among the array of exceptional athletes on that team, senior Chris McDermott was the key piece who guided the Eagles as they set the bar at the top rung.
While he’s garnered the attention of the public and college scouts, the 6-foot-8 forward remains focused on his goal to help bring back a championship to his community in 2024.
VYPE caught up with McDermott, as he enters his final year at Washington.
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VYPE:Last year, you and your team made history by advancing to the State Championship. What’s it going to take for this team to repeat that effort?
MCDERMOTT: "We just have to play hard every game, you know. Don’t take anything lightly, even if we’re up against a weaker opponent. It’s going to be about staying on the gas because we are going to get everyone’s best shot."
VYPE:What has the whole recruiting process been like for you? You’re also playing for the team, but how do you balance all of that with your personal ambitions?
MCDERMOTT: "It’s kind of hard when they (college recruiters) call me a lot, but it’s fun progressing with that in mind. For the team, I don’t focus on myself. I do what I can to lift them up and make my teammates better."
VYPE:Who got you into the sport, and what’s kept you going with it?
MCDERMOTT: "My Mom told me to try it out and I just kept playing. I’ve always been the biggest person on the court, and everybody thought I was good so it just made sense. I’ve had a lot of people supporting me along the way."
VYPE:What’s the mindset heading into your final year at Booker T. Washington?
MCDERMOTT: "It’s not really about me, it’s for the community. We’re going to try to win it all."