Interview by Les Tan/Red Sports
Calvin Chia, a point guard of the Hwa Chong Institution basketball team, is one of three players selected for the adidas Nations basketball camp in Shanghai from May 18 to 24. He will train with some of the best basketball talent in Asia and get to meet coaches and players from the American National Basketball Association. Red Sports caught up with him to find out more about him.
Red Sports: Tell me about yourself.
Calvin: I hate losing. Since I started playing competitively at the age of 10 by representing Chua Chu Kang Primary, I have been bringing the same attitude to every game. It makes me work harder too. Playing the point also makes me more aware of the game and the roles of every player.
How do you feel about being selected for the camp?
I am extremely honoured and excited to be able to go for the camp. It will be a real eye-opener for me as I match up with the best in Asia. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had to grab with both hands.
Did you expect to be chosen?
No. I thought that the focus would be on players that scored the most. Being a point guard, i was just intent on passing the ball well and helping the national u-18 team win the game.
How do you find the national U18 team?
We are well-drilled and clear about the individual roles that we play in this team. All credit to our coach Mr Neo who moulded us into the team that we are. In addition, our team performed credibly in the recently-concluded South East Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) championship.
How did you find the selection match between the national U18 team and adidas team?
It was a very competitive match with players wanting to prove a point. The adidas team put up a stiff resistance till the end and in all, it was a great match for fans and neutrals.
How are you preparing for the trip?
I have not done any special preparations. Trainings continue as usual and I still shoot my quota of balls per week. I believe that the preparations for A Division and SEABA are suitable for the adidas camp. Maybe the only preparation I would do is the mental aspect, to adapt to the standard of the camp.
What are your aspirations for the trip?
I will like to learn from Asia’s best and compete with them at the highest level, thereby disproving the theory that the size of Singaporeans is a barrier to sporting success. I am looking forward to becoming a better all-round player when I return.
How are you coping with your schoolwork?
I missed quite a few lessons due to A Division and SEABA. Now I will miss a whole week of school due to this camp and the Block Test is just around the corner. Fortunately, my teachers have been very supportive and I am trying to catch up on lessons during the weekends by self-studying. I think I am still coping quite well.
Any advice for aspiring young players?
Work hard, have confidence.
I believe shengyu and you will certainly achieve your goals,just go ahead!
TRUTH’s english should buck up abit man. at least use better grammar and vocab so that people can better understand. i cant really understand what you are saying!
yoyo calvin! A13 supports u 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)gambatte!
well, it’s just like those famous pple. people view and judge them more often than not, based on that few moments they get to see them. without understanding a person, passing remark such as calvin being proud is kinda juvenile.
aiyah jason kidd also rarely shoot, but he still hall of famer.
[…] readers recently accused Calvin Chia of arrogance and having no jump shot to speak of after a recent interview with Calvin Chia was posted on Red Sports. When asked about it over dinner, Calvin said […]
Hello, when will Shengyu’s interview come up?
In response to some comments about Calvin not having a jumpshot and is thus not a good player, I’d have to disagree that he’s not a good player.
Even though shooting is not his forte, Calvin has been training hard at developing his jumpshot. I admire the amount of hard work he has put in. Not only does he work hard to develop the things he is good at further, he has also put a lot of effort into the weaker aspects of his game, which is his shooting. I believe a great player strives to be the best at his own game, but to also strengthen what he is weak at.
By the way, I believe Mr. Wong and Calvin are 2 very different players, playing differents roles and have strengths in different areas. Hence I don’t think a comparison between the both of them, followed by a criticism of Calvin as how he does not match up to Mr. Wong is very apt. I believe if you want Calvin to be a better player/person, give constructive comments. Don’t flame him here. Would you want to improve if you were given such criticism, or would you just forget about them? Just a note for the readers/flamers here.
Cheers 🙂
no ones perfect. im sure hes stressed too about all this. and he is in HCI afterall. give him some credit.
[…] though. Two of their key players Lin Shengyu and Calvin Chia will be flying to Shanghai for an adidas Nations Camp from 18-24 […]
<3 captum calvin.
you people should really get to know him personally before commenting about his attitude. have known him for a decade or so and everyone who knows him personally can vouch for his amiable personality and EQ. so please, don’t start a flame war here or try to discredit him, it’s just an interview. he might be confident (and he has the right to be) but he does not look down on anyone for reasons like their inferior basketball skills or what. he is a good person, though he doesn’t need to prove it to you. please be objective people.
is there any occasion some people are jealous that they do not stand a chance to represent SG or the U18 so they vent their anger here? haha.