Athlete of the Week: Jack Cannon

As a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, Jack Cannon, 17, is one of the basketball team’s leading players. He recently scored 14 points during a winning game against St. Stephen’s. Cannon has been playing basketball for ODA for four years, has been on the varsity men’s basketball team for three years and has been team captain for the past two years. Cannon has also been on ODA’s football team for four years, as well. According to his coaches, Cannon is a leader on the court and in practice and excels academically, as well.

How did you get into basketball?
When I was in middle school, my parents wanted my sister Rachel, and me, to play three sports a year. I always played football in the fall, so when winter came around it was basketball or soccer. I never really liked soccer, so I went with basketball and it grew on me.

What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses?
My strengths are probably shooting and that I’m a good leader. My weaknesses? I don’t want to say just in case someone from one of the other teams reads this!

What is your favorite basketball team?
I like to watch the Orlando Magic. They are the closet team around, and you can make the drive to Orlando in less than two hours. My dad went to Michigan State and so do my cousins, so if I see them on TV, I root for them.

Do you have goals for yourself and the team this year?
Besides just being a strong leader and communicating with my coach, making decisions, and I want to lead by example on the court. I just want us to go out and compete and do our best.

What are you most looking forward to this season?
The game against Cardinal Mooney. They are our biggest rival.

If you had to play another sport, what would it be?
Maybe baseball, because my dad played baseball and that is his sport. I have a lot of friends who play baseball.

What did you think about the NBA lock-out?
I was just annoyed by it because I just want to see them play. I don’t care how the money is divided up — I just want to see the games.

What are your future goals?
Hopefully majoring in business, not exactly sure what yet, but business of some sort. I’d like to get into USC, University of South Carolina. That is where my sister goes.

When you do well personally in a game, does it make a difference to you?
The most important thing is getting the win. It doesn’t matter who scores the most points, just as long as we win.

Is there an athlete you admire?
There is not one I particularly admire, but I like watching all the players on the Orlando Magic and the Tampa Bay Bucs.