ATHETE OF THE WEEK: Adam Puebla

Although the Legacy Eagles boys basketball team is off to a slow start at 2-3 this winter, the Eagles’ last two games have been wins, and sophomore guard Adam Puebla has been a bright spot since the beginning of the season. Puebla is averaging 22 points per contest and has scored as many as 29 in Legacy’s win over Halifax Dec. 5, making him our Athlete of the Week.

This year is your first year on varsity and, already, you’re the team’s leading scorer. What’s that like?

Of course, I feel a little bit pressured being young and having to be one of the better scorers and leaders on the team. But I like that feeling and that pressure being on me.

Averaging more than 20 points per game is impressive. Are you at all surprised at your play so far?

If I just get to my places in the right spots on the court, and I can just make shots, then I’m pretty sure that I can score even more than that a game. But, yeah, it’s still surprising.

What’s been a point of emphasis with you in terms of working on your own game?

My mid-range jumper is the main thing. Also, just getting my assists (per game) up and looking for my teammates and getting (the ball to) them in the right spots.

Obviously the team isn’t off to the best possible start, but what have you seen that is encouraging so far this season?

We’re getting better every day. Every practice, we’re working hard. Coach (Matthew) Post is (instilling in us) that the score is not the biggest thing. It’s just that we’re getting better every game and every practice.

What’s been your own personal highlight so far this season?

I had 29 points against Halifax, and that was my high for the season so far, so that’s probably the best game and the best moment.

What do you and your teammates have to do to get better and turn some of these losses into wins?

We just need to step our defense up, especially in the second half and fourth quarter. We just need to step it up, and I think we’ll be fine from there.

How long have you been playing hoops, and when did it become a passion for you?

I’ve been playing since I was 9 years old, and I would say I was passionate from the start. I knew that it was something I could be good at and if I worked at it, I could be good.

Whether a pro or collegiate player, is there anyone you try to model your game after?

Tyus Jones. He’s a freshman at Duke, and he’s probably my favorite basketball player, and that’s the guy I look up to.

Which NBA team do you follow the most?

I like the (Detroit) Pistons. Brandon Jennings is another big player (I follow).

How have you enjoyed being at Legacy for these past two years?

I like it. You know, it’s small and everybody knows everybody. It’s not too big. I have a good relationship with a lot of people here and the teachers, so I like it.

What’s your favorite class?

Probably English. English is a fun class. Mrs. Wiggers is a good teacher, so I like that class.

When you’re in English class, which do you prefer — writing or reading?

Reading.

Is playing college basketball a goal of yours?

Definitely. That’s my main goal. Whether it’s Division I, Division II, wherever. I have no schools (in particular) in mind right now.

And what would you like to study in college?

Probably sports medicine, trying to stay on that kind of track of sports.

What are you looking forward to the most about the holidays as they approach?

Just hanging with family — family is really big, and it’s really pushed in my family. I like to just spend time with family and hang out.

Got any hobbies that people might not know about you?

No, I don’t really have a lot of hobbies. I just listen to a lot of music, I guess.

Who are you listening to the most recently?

Right now, I listen to The Weekend — he’s probably my favorite artist. I like a lot of old-school (music) — Bone Thugs, Tupac.

What’s a place you’d like to visit and why?

Seattle. It seems like a cool city. Isaiah Thomas and Nate Robinson are from there, and I think it would just be a cool city to visit. Not too big, not too small.

What basketball venue, college or pro, would you most like to see a game at?

At Duke, at Cameron Indoor (Stadium). I heard those game are crazy, so I would like to go and watch one there.

Which game remaining on the schedule are you looking forward to the most?

The Amway game (held at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando on Friday, Dec. 19) against ICS (International Community School).