Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Connor Heald

Connor Heald is a rising senior boys basketball player at Cardinal Mooney High. Heald scored 39 points in a Florida Association of Basketball Coaches camp June 18. 

How did you start playing basketball?

I was just exploring a bunch of different sports when I was young. I picked up a basketball and I have loved the sport ever since. I play it every day. I just love the energy of it. 

What is your best skill?

I'm a good shooter. I always have been. I work on it every single day. I get up between 300 and 500 shots per day. 

What have you been working to improve?

My leadership. During my sophomore year at Cardinal Mooney we had a great leader. His name was AJ Russo. After he graduated, I knew I had to step up and be a leader. I'm vocal with the team. I'm still working on it. I think I'm a good leader but I'm working to be better.

What is your favorite basketball memory?

It has to be my shot at the buzzer against Riverview High (on Jan. 12, 2022). We came into that game super underrated. No one thought Cardinal Mooney could beat Riverview. They overlooked us. I mean, they had three NCAA Division I athletes. But it was a close game and I took the shot late. I knew it was going in. Seeing the crowd get super quiet, except for the Mooney fans, was such a good feeling. 

How is your game feeling right now?

I'm super confident going into July. I'm waking up at 5 a.m. every day and doing everything I can to get better. I'm doing three or four workouts a day because I want to play at the next level. 

What is your favorite food?

I like Buffalo wings a lot. 

What is your favorite TV show?

I don't watch a lot of TV. If I do watch, I'll go to Netflix and turn on something basketball related like "Last Chance U." But usually I'm either in the gym or sleeping or watching film and making highlight tapes to send to coaches. 

What is your favorite school subject?

I like learning about the body. I'm going to go to school to be a chiropractor. I just like helping people who are struggling with their body. It's nice to help them move and do all the things they want to do. 

What is the best advice you have received?

My mom (Stephanie Heald) is always telling me, "Go be great." That's always stuck in my head. 

Finish this sentence: "Connor Heald is …"

Dedicated.