Future Longhorn Kabongo spending time in Central Texas
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Myck Kabongo was born in Africa, moved to Toronto as a child and
spent the last three-years attending high school in New Jersey.
But it's Central Texas where the future-Longhorn says he feels at
home.
"I felt at home as soon as I got off the airplane. The weather change, that humid air, just woke me up and reminded me where I'm at," said Kabongo, who's in San Antonio this week for the FIBA Americas U18 Championships.
Rivals.com ranks the phenom as its 14th-best overall player in the Class of 2011 and its second-best point guard.
Like any good ball-handler, Kabongo embraces his role as leader.
"Whatever my team actually needs, that's the kind of player I am. I'm not too caught up into my stats. I'm a point guard. My job is to get my teammates involved, get them going, and here and there, once or twice, look for my shot," says the Team Canada member.
Kabongo is the third of a trio of Canadians who will play for Rick
Barnes at UT. His close friends Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph are
signed-up to wear burnt orange beginning this fall.
He says the chance to play with two very close friends was a big reason he chose to Texas.
"Not too many times do you see friends get to play with each other
-- actually best friends, like my brothers -- in college. So it's
like having your big brothers on the court with you," Kabongo said.
It's hard to say what Longhorn Basketball fans will like more
about Kabongo -- his personality or his game.
Whatever the case, he's excited to wear a Texas uniform and play in
front of them.
"It's a family atmosphere there, I feel right at home. My relationship I have with Coach Barnes is unbelievable. I'm just grateful and thankful for that," he said.