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GN: I watched you go one-on-one with Pierre-Marie and it looked like you have expanded your game. Can you tell us what you're working on
the most this offseason?
SG: I think the thing I am working on the most this summer is trying to be a more complete and well-rounded player. That being said, I am trying to work on all parts of my game and trying to turn some weaknesses of mine into strengths. I think the biggest thing I am trying to work on though would have to be my ballhandling and defense. Everyday I try to put aside some time to work on ballhandling and being more efficient with the ball. Defense is hard to work on by yourself but I am trying to make a conscious effort into playing hard and solid defense every time we play pick up so that playing good defense becomes a habit. Also I've been working out with Richie a lot and we play one on one a lot so that forces me to become a better defender. Other then that, just trying to get stronger and bigger through lifting weights and staying in good shape through [former Zag] Mike Nilson's workouts.
GN: Gonzaga has had many walk-ons, some being quite successful. What do you see your role being for the rest of your career here?
SG: I think my role here at Gonzaga being a walk-on is to first go hard everyday in practice and in the offseason. Going hard and pushing the guys in practice everyday only makes this team better. Intensity is contagious so if it takes me diving on the floor in practice to get guys going then I will do it. As a senior as well I see myself as being a leader and being a guy that can be counted on for anything from his teammates. My situation is similar to Brian Michaelson's. Brian has been my roommate the past two years so I have actually gone to him for advice on some things I can do to become a better leader. I don't play a whole lot but yet I think I can be a leader and make sure that this team reaches its full potential for next season.
GN: Tell us about your high school basketball career in Kansas, why you chose to attend Gonzaga, and what led you to try out for the Zags' basketball team?
SG: I felt I had a good high school career. I played varsity at Fort Scott High School for three years. I was All-SEK three years and All-State three years as well. I was also a McDonald's All-American Nominee and left my school as its all time leading scorer, breaking my older brother Michael's record. But despite my career I wasn't offered or looked at by any schools that I wanted to attend. Growing up and watching NCAA tournament games I became a fan of Gonzaga and players such as Frahm and Dickau. I decided as a junior in high school that I would love to play there. My situation forced me to have to try out for the team but in the end it all worked out. I chose Gonzaga because first off it is a great basketball program and teams at Gonzaga play the right way. On top of that the Jesuit education, small enrollment, and being in a new place outside of Kansas were all appealing to me.
GN: Even though Ronny is gone, this year's team appears to have immense potential. What are some of the goals that have been talked about for 2005-2006?
SG: Well, the 2005-2006 team has yet to sit down and establish its own goals but I think that anytime you are at Gonzaga your goals are to first win the WCC, the WCC Tournament and then make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. However, like you said this team does have great potential and will have some opportunities to do some great things. I can remember right after our senior banquet this past spring Nathan Doudney and I were talking about how next years team could go to the final four and how awesome it would be to achieve that goal. For me personally going to the final four in my last year of college basketball would be a dream come true and I am going to do everything in my power to achieve that goal.
GN: You're currently working towards your Masters Degree. Please tell us what you're focusing on, and why, and an ideal job or two that you'd like after you earn your degree.
SG: I am currently working on my Masters in
Athletic and Sport Administration. I have so far taken a couple of classes, Sport Finance and Sport in Society which I both found to be interesting. Because I have interest in sports and coupled with the fact that sports are becoming big time business I figured that a master's in this field would be advantageous. Right now the ideal job for me would to be a NBA scout and I have spent some time looking into it. I love breaking down players games and deciding whether or not they are ready to play in the NBA. I feel I have knowledge of the X's and O's of basketball but I feel I have an even greater feel for breaking down individual player's games. From there I would then like to become either an NBA coach or work in basketball operations being something like a director of player personnel or something of that nature in an NBA organization.
GN: What has your college experience been like at Gonzaga?
SG: I feel like Gonzaga has been a great experience for me both on and off the court and I hope that I have grown as both a player and a person. Outside of basketball I feel I have been given an education that I will carry with me for a lifetime. On top of that I have met and made several lifelong friendships that I value considerably. There are too many good memories to name just one but hopefully with my senior year coming up the best is yet to come!
GN: What does Stephen Gentry enjoy doing off the court, ie, hobbies, activities, music, etc?
SG: Off the court I enjoy spending time with friends just hanging out. I enjoy playing other sports such as golf and tennis. I love spending time outdoors whether it be fishing or camping and whenever I am home in Kansas that is usually how I spend most of my time. I must admit I am a Lance Armstrong fanatic. I am a huge Lance Armstrong fan so I spend a lot of time following him and especially so now that the Tour is going on. The Tour became hotly contested in our apartment last year as Ronny was cheering for Lance to lose and I was cheering for him to win. Armstrong isn't all that well liked by the French I guess. My musical tastes are truly eclectic. I listen to just about anything from Cat Stevens to James Taylor to Eminem and Tupac. But right now the CD in my car is Cat Stevens Greatest Hits which might be the only CD you will ever need. I also enjoy going to the movies and for some reason have the gift and habit of knowing all of the lines from movies that I have seen. I also enjoy writing song lyrics and poems and just recently bought a guitar. I am currently trying to learn how to play the guitar from Cory Violette so hopefully I can play some of my own music down the road.