As a young supporter of the University of Miami men’s basketball team, I used to idolize and look up to the players as if they were celebrities and they were above the average person. Recently, I had an experience that would have changed my younger self’s mind.
On Monday, Oct. 21, I went to the UM men’s basketball open media day and I could not have had a better experience. A little backstory about me — I have been getting to know the UM basketball program for the last two years, because I participated in the Jim Larrañaga Summer Basketball Camp. I am lucky enough to have gotten to know a few players on a level past the camp, including current Los Angeles Clippers player Jordan Miller, current Hurricane Matthew Cleveland and the one I know best, former Hurricane and current Wichita State University guard, Harlond Beverly. These experiences were a key point in changing my opinion that these players were larger than life, personality-wise at least, these guys are massive physically.
I started emailing about getting into a media day last year, but unfortunately, I was too young at the time, due to the NCAA recruiting rules of being 15 years or older or a sophomore in high school. I started emailing again in late July and got into a smaller, not as public media day, which was a good learning experience for me, regardless of whether I asked a media question or not — spoiler alert, I did not.
I got another email saying there would be a media day on Oct. 21, so I checked my schedule and confirmed I would go. When I got there, I went into the media press room, but to my surprise, nothing was set up for a conference. I was confused at first, but then I saw some UM students walk into the main arena, where the conference was.
The first interviewee was UM’s Head Athletic Director, Dan Radakovich, who I did not have any questions for. Next was UM women’s basketball Head Coach, Tricia Cullop, who I did not have questions for either.
The last press conference was with UM men’s basketball Head Coach Jim Larrañaga. I had questions for him, I was just very nervous to ask them. When the UM staff members running the conference told us we had time for two more questions, I knew I had to say something. I made my move, along with many other media members, and called out to Coach Larrañaga. He recognized me and told everyone else not to interrupt and that we go way back because I was a camper at his summer camp. I asked my question and he gave me a great answer. This was a surreal moment and I will never forget it.
Next was the women’s basketball practice. I only stuck around for about 15 minutes since there was lunch in the media workroom, where I ate and made valuable connections for the future.
When the women’s practice segment was completed, the men’s basketball team came out for breakout interviews. I had great conversations with all but one player, guard AJ Staton-McCray, and made a name for myself among the players by telling them I would send the photos I got of them and post them to my Instagram (@sethclarinphotos). I had one especially memorable experience which was being able to have a great conversation with five-star athlete and popular social media influencer Jalil Bethea. While I was interviewing him, I noticed a UM photographer taking pictures of us out of the corner of my eye, and to my surprise, I saw myself on the UM official Instagram a few days later. In my opinion, as the youngest person there, I was able to make a connection with him because of the small age gap.
In between the men’s basketball interviews and the men’s practice, there was work/free time. Some went to work on their stories, and some went to edit photos —in hindsight, I should have done this — but I got a basketball and shot on the Watsco Center court, a little bucket list item of mine. When the men’s team came out to practice I got my camera and got into position, and started shooting. At one point Larrañaga told all the players to greet the guests, so they came around and introduced themselves, and seeing the players remember me was a crazy moment.
The practice went on, the photos were looking good and then I got asked a big question. “Can you take this photo of me and my bro?” This question was asked by none other than UM starting guard, Jalen Blackmon. I took the picture and this started a chain of UM players asking me for photos, which was just crazy. Guard Nigel Pack, center Lynn Kidd, guard Divine Ugochukuwu, guard Austin Swartz, forward Brandon Johnson, guard AJ Staton-McCray and forward Xander Alarie. All of these guys asked me for pictures of them and it is insane to think that all this started from an email over a year ago. I would not have changed anything about this experience, and it was a great learning opportunity for me to hopefully become a real media member next year when I am age-eligible.
