CMBA Player Spotlight: Saleem Hnedi
Saleem Hnedi
St Mary's University roster (2020-2021)
Past CMBA: CMBA Spring League
Current School: St Mary's University Lightning
Current Activities/Hobbies: Making Music, Gym
Questions with St Mary's player Saleem Hnedi:
Q: Who is your favourite basketball player?
A: My all time favourite player is Kobe Bryant and current favourite is Kyrie Irving because if their drive to win, always wanting to level up their game, and pushing the people around them.
Q: Which basketball team do you root for?
A: Oklahoma City Thunder because of how they develop their players, and how its a family, underdog mentality. I became a fan back when KD, Westbrook, and ibaka were all there, and because none of my friends cheered for them. I wanted to be different.
Q: Who has the best basketball uniforms of any college or pro team you like?
A: North Carolina
Q: What is your favourite basketball movie?
A: He Got Game - push yourself no matter the circumstances you're in, no excuses.
Q: What is your favourite candy?
A: Mini Starbursts
Q: What is your favourite ice cream?
A: Coffee Flavour
Q: Do you have a hobby?
A: Making Music because it's another outlet for me to express myself when I'm not on the court.
Q: Do you have a favourite pregame meal?
A: No
Q: What is your favourite basketball play?
A: Alley Oop because it shows shows the connection between the players. My motto is if you score off my assist I score as well.
Q: What do you love most about the game of basketball?
A: The lessons that I have applied to real life.
Q: Do you have a favourite memory from when you played in the CMBA?
A: Beating my high school teammates and best friends team when I hit the game winning shot on them.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?
A: Be confident in everything you do.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to younger players?
A: Don’t be satisfied with anything, keep pushing and adding to your bag, there is always someone outworking you. Always stay open minded and learn everything your coach says to you.
Q: What basketball skill is your greatest strength?
A: My energy and attacking the rim.
Q: What was your biggest failure or adversity you have faced in the game, and how did you over come it?
A: An injury strained my patella and I was out for the rest of the season. I stayed positive, went to physio and kept
learning from my teammates and coaches, kept the energy up in practice so my teammates knew I wasn’t going
to leave them stranded even though I wasn’t on the court with them.
Q: Are you a vocal leader on the court or do you lead by example? Or both?
A: Both.
Q: How do you find positive ways to communicate with your teammates? To build team culture.
A: I found similarities I have with each individual teammate, found some bridge so we can stay connected through each other. We all in the same position we all equal never treated them like i was better nor worse than them.
Q: What is something interesting about you that no one really knows?
A: I'm heavily into art (poetry, music, designing) . I feel like it's important to have many outlets to express yourself besides basketball, because it's important to have a strong mental as much as it's important to have a strong physical.
Q: What is your favourite class or subject in University?
A: Psychology. I'm fascinated in how people think and how the brain works.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
A: To work in my major (psychology), help people in my community and all around.
Q: How are you training during the Covid-19 pandemic to prepare for the next season?
A: Home workouts, runs, and spending time with family to keep my morals and mental clear and high.
