Here's interview three of our "Checking in with the Champions" segment. ACC and UVA bound Evan Nolte of 5A State Champion Milton High School stops in with us to chat. Nolte completed a decorated high school career in which he played in four state championship games, winning two of them in his sophomore and senior seasons. Milton had a remarkable record of 114-16 while Nolte was there. Nolte averaged 17ppg, 7rpg, while shooting 42% 3fg, 52% fg, 77% ft. Nolte was also the Region 6 Player of the Year, 5-A AJC Player of the Year and finished his career with over 1,500 career points for 3rd on Milton's all-time scoring list behind brother Connor and Julian Royal(FR - Ga Tech).
BCB: Blue Collar Basketball
EN: Evan Nolte
BCB: Congrats on your second State Championship. Now that you've had time to reflect on this year and your high school career, tell us what you are feeling and thinking.
EN: You know, when we won it, I was excited for the team. It was a big statement in winning. Last year we beat good teams (Oak Hill) but lost state and it ruined our season. Everyone thought we weren't going to be good this year but we played as a team.
BCB: Was any championship more meaningful to you personally than any other?
EN: This definitely did. It was really awesome. It was great to silence the haters.
BCB: Who was the best player you competed against in HS or the AAU circuit?
EN: Austin Rivers-sounds cliche but he was the best player I played against.
BCB: What did you take away from your high school basketball career about life and basketball?
EN: I think the biggest thing was looking at the team and not caring who gets credit. It's amazing what teamwork can do and even though you have talent, you have to play together.
BCB: What do you think you will miss most about high school?
EN: Along the lines of basketball, going to play in gyms with big crowds close to the floor. Outside of basketball, missing people I grew up with in the town.
BCB: Your coach at Milton, David Boyd, is a coach with a lot of success-tell us what it is like to play for him and what makes him a good coach.
EN: You know, good experience; only really coach I know and played for. He has a certain personality and a way to motivate his players.
BCB: What advice do you have for a young kid in the 8th or 9th grade about high school-maybe stuff you enjoyed or mistakes you've made that they could avoid?
EN: I'd say don't get caught up in media and just play your best. Don't try to play like someone else. Don't be one dimensional. Take one year at a time and work hard in the off-season.
BCB: Evan, you have received a lot of local, state and national attention and accolades. You have accomplished a lot for a high school player. How do you stay grounded and humble, if you are, with hearing how great you are everyday?
EN: I see people who do that and wouldn't want to be like that. There are so many great players out there and I have so much better to get. Going to national camps and playing with all that talent makes you humble.
BCB: Ok, Evan, tell us about the recruiting process and what lead you to sign with University of Virginia.
EN: Well, the process was long and tedious. It was hard. I would visit one school and love it, and would visit another campus and love that campus, visit another school and would love that school. You have to measure the pros and cons-figure out what is important to you. I ended up choosing Virginia because of the campus but the main reason was Coach Tony Bennet. He is an awesome guy, coach and great man. He will help me become a better player and person. My most memorable moment was Coach Bennet called me early in the week and we were talking and he told me he was going to the beach that weekend and he would love to get a call while he was there with some great news. My dad and I were driving to practice one day and I told him that's where I wanted to go and so I called Coach Bennet on the Thursday before he left for the beach and told him I wanted to come to Virginia. Coach Bennet was really excited and that was a pretty awesome moment.
BCB: How much did you lean on your brother Connor (who played at Furman before finishing his career at UGA)?
EN: He helped me along the way. My dad knew about the process having gone through it with Connor even though my recruitment was on a little bit of a larger scale. Connor wanted me to go to Georgia but he also wanted me to do what I wanted to do. UGA was my second choice.
BCB: What is a college program getting when Evan Nolte signs with them?
EN: Well, they are getting a versatile player whose strength is shooting and can do some other things. I don't expect anything and will earn everything I get.
BCB: If we asked the five closest people to you (family or friends) to tell us about Evan Nolte, what would they say?
EN: They would say I'm an outgoing guy that likes to have fun and hang out with friends. And that I'm always in a good mood and a great guy - hopefully (laughs).
Evan, we wish you the best in your future on and off the court. We know you will do well and look forward to watching you play and develop at Virginia.
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