Redshirt junior forward/guard Dominic Friend from Australia continues to help lead the Colonels men’s basketball team even though he does not lead the Southland Conference. Friend is second on the team in free throw percentage with a .800, making 12 of his 15 free throws. Friend is also second on the team in blocked shots, recording six so far this season.

Friend maintains a 2.3 rebounding average and is fifth on the team, recording an average of 26.1 minutes per game.

Last season, Friend appeared in 30 of the 31 games for the Colonels, recording 673 total minutes, averaging out to 22.4 minutes per game.

Friend’s standout game last season came in the Nov. 22 game against Tulane University. The Colonels lost a 72-70 heartbreaker. Friend scored a career-high 14 points and logged team-high eight rebounds against the Green Wave.

Friend took a few minutes after practice to sit down and talk about himself and basketball.

Q: What made you want to come to the United States to play basketball?

A: “The level of basketball is a lot better here. It’s an experience being away from home and playing in college. We don’t have college at home.”

Q: How is basketball different in the United States compared to Australia?

A: “The level of competition. Everyone loves the game more here than back home.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: “Traveling the world, just having fun.”

Q: If you can play for any team in either the United States or Australia, which team would it be?

A: “Probably the Denver Nuggets because I can go and ski some slopes up in Denver.”

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player and why?

A: “My favorite player is Dwayne Wayde because he is so small, and he can do so much. He doesn’t let his height affect him.”

Q: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment in basketball?

A: “Coming here and playing college sports.”

Q: What do you feel has been your most embarrassing moment?

A: “Air balling a free throw this season. That’s the first time I’ve ever air balled a free throw. Thank goodness it was at home because if I had done it away, I would have caught so much slack for it. It was my first shot too so as soon as the ref gave me the ball again, I just shot it up there.”

Q: Is there anything you do before a game to prepare yourself or to get yourself pumped up?

A: “I have a little superstition. I always put on my right sock then my left one, my right shoe then my left shoe and then tie my right shoe then my left shoe. I’ve done that since I was about eight. Then I’ll come shoot about an hour or two before so I can be prepared mentally.”

Q: What are you majoring in and what do you plan to do with your major?

A: “I am majoring in general studies with a minor in psychology. When I finish here, after traveling the world, I will probably go back to school after and do psychology back home.”

Q: What are some of the things you have in Australia that you wish you had here with you?

A: “I miss the beach. I lived about a two-minute walk from one of the best beaches in Australia.