Former Dragons star King hopes to shine

With basketball season underway, junior Desmond King hopes his past successes can help the Lions win more games.

King said he thinks his first season at A&M-Commerce will be a memorable one.

"I've been looking forward to the season," he said. "The team is gelling and we should have a real good season."

King said he began playing the sport at a very young age.

"I started playing basketball when I was four years old," he said. "My mother put the ball in my hands and it went from there."

During his junior year at Peabody Magnet High School, where he was a four-year starter, King was named most valuable player in the state tournament. He also led his team to the state title that year.

"Being named MVP just meant the world to me," King said. "It was one of the best feelings that I've ever had in my life. It just doesn't get better than that. I felt accomplished and it was just a special thing for me."

After high school, King played at Paris Junior College. He thinks playing there helped prepare him for A&M-Commerce.

"After being named most valuable player my junior year in high school, I realized that I wanted to play basketball at the collegiate level," King said. "I knew at that moment I had the skill and the drive to pursue it. My time at Paris Junior College prepared me a lot for playing here. Coach [Ross] Hodge, who played and coached here, helped to prepare me for the next level of basketball."

King said he has already set goals for the season. He has even formulated a pregame ritual to put him in a focused state of mind before each game.

"My main goals for this year are to just stay healthy and to try and win a championship for this team," King said. "To prepare for a game, typically, I'll put on some slow music that helps me mediate and relax. I also like to put on some Trey Songz to amp me up as well."

He said the best way he can be successful at A&M-Commerce is to simply follow the direction of Head Coach Sam Walker.

"I believe Coach Walker prepares us by not just coaching but by teaching," King said. "Some coaches just coach, but I feel with Walker is a better teacher on and off the field."

King also said he draws inspiration from watching his favorite NBA players.

"Right now, my current favorite player to watch and learn from is definitely Kevin Garnett," he said. "My favorite all time player, like most kids growing up, was Michael Jordan."

After completing his studies at A&M-Commerce, King said he plans to continue playing or stay around Texas.

"After I graduate, I either want to go overseas and continue to play basketball or stay in Texas and become a state trooper," he said.