The Rockford Warriors is a new professional basketball team that has joined the NPBA, a league that is in the Midwest that started 4 years ago. The league has 12 teams in states like Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, and now Illinois with the addition of the Rockford Warriors. Each roster is composed of 15 players. The NPBA President, Lance Pitts, was reached out to get some information about the league as well as the Rockford Warriors:
VF: What’s the league’s motto?
Pitts: “Use basketball as a backboard mentorship and advocate community advancement.”
VF: How did you and the NPBA feel when you decided to have a team in Rockford?
Pitts: “That Rockford has a great community and reminded us of Milwaukee, it’s a great opportunity.”
VF: Will there be a bubble for the league?
Pitts: “UWH Center Rockford might house our first bubble center.”
Brian Semonian, a coach who was training the team before training camp and having a full roster, was also asked some questions about the team and his experience in coaching.
VF: How long have you been coaching?
Semonian: “15years.”
VF: How many players will be on the roster?
Semonian: “20 during training camp, 15 on the final roster.”
VF: What is the team’s goal?
Semonian: “Put together a competitive team.”
VF: When will the season start?
Semonian: “December.”
VF: How long is the regular season?
Semonian: “3 months.”
VF: How long is training camp?
Semonian: “One month, it starts November.”
VF: How can you help improve the players on and off the court?
Semonian: “Provide a professional opportunity off the court, community events that would benefit local community.”
VF: Were you nervous coaching during covid-19?
Semonian: “I’m not as nervous now than when I was 6 months ago.”
Two players that are on the team were approached to comment on the team. The first player’s name is Tey Montgomery. The following is a Q&A of the interview.
VF: How does it feel to play for a pro team in Rockford?
Montgomery: “It’s cool to think about inspiring the kids. It’s an eye opener to me”
VF: When did you start playing basketball and when did basketball inspire you?
Montgomery: “Started when I was three, my father made basketball as a way to see the world.”
VF: What part are you excited about this season?
Montgomery: “Day one, the first practice, show the community someone to look up to.”
VF: What do you think you can improve on as a player?
Montgomery: “Outside of the court as a leader, as a team player, and inspiring teammates.”
VF: What position do you play?
Montgomery: “Point guard, shooting guard, small forward”
VF: What high school and college did you play at?
Montgomery: “Boylan, graduated from Rockford Lutheran High School, McHenry College “
VF: What are your goals for the season?
Montgomery: “Bring something back to Rockford, maybe a championship to Rockford.”
VF: What’s your goal for this team this year?
Montgomery: “First find a family, starting a bond with the whole team, creating chemistry and try to be outstanding.”
Another player was approached about the team named Anthony Struckland. The following is a Q&A of the interview.
VF: Who inspired you to play basketball?
Struckland: “My dad inspired me to play basketball.”
VF: How long have you been playing professional basketball?
Struckland: “6 years as a pro.”
VF: Where have you played while playing pro basketball?
Struckland: “Mexico, U.S.A., Spain, Italy, and Canada.”
VF: Where did you go to high school?
Struckland: “Auburn High School, 2011.”
VF: What positions do you play?
Struckland: “Shooting guard, point guard.”
VF: What do you want to prove or improve on this season?
Struckland: “Work off the dribble.”
VF: What is your goal for the team this year?
Struckland: “Team wise, make the playoffs.”
After hearing from the President of the NPBA and a few of the players, the league has a good chance of being big one day across the country and the players of the Rockford Warriors want to work hard to bring a championship to Rockford.
