Competition is an important part of athletics. Not only does it help the athletes in the game to work harder, it can also help form bonds that can last for a long time. Nik Flyingout is a sophomore at Blackwell High School, where he plays basketball, football, and baseball. He says that out of all the teams that he and his teammates face, there is one that is his favorite, mainly because of who is on the other team.

“There is a team that I enjoy going up against and that would be Tonkawa,” he said. “It is my favorite because I am friends with most of the kids on that team and we are all pretty good so it is pretty competitive.”

Along with playing basketball for Blackwell, Nik also plays AAU basketball for the Oklahoma Kings. The love of sports will only get you so far, but Flyingout says that in order to be your best you have to be willing to work for it. 

“To get where I am, it has taken late nights at the gym by myself,” he said. “But also playing pickup with all my friends on the team as well. I think the highlight of my career was when I picked off a defender for the fast break dunk.”

The teammates that he competes alongside have played a role in Nik’s development as a player and as a person. 

“Mattue Mooring is a teammate that I enjoy competing against in practice,” he said. “I think the least appreciated on the team is Jake Johnson, in my opinion. I think he’s the biggest role player we have on the team.”

There are others that have also been influential in Nik’s life.

“My favorite teacher would have to be coach Marques Odom,” he said. “He was taught by greats as well and he had a lot of knowledge. I think the biggest influence for me is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. He is the shiftiest person in the NBA.”