Welcome to SZN Opener, the dynamic podcast collection that celebrates Black school athletes, exploring their triumphs, challenges and aspirations alongside their sports activities journeys.
Ezra Ausar from the College of Utah sat down with SZN Opener host and fellow hooper Rodney Rikai for episode two. The junior ahead is a contemporary face in Utah males’s basketball, becoming a member of this system this fall in time for the college’s debut within the elite Massive 12 convention. The faculty athlete and father of two sat down with Rikai for a 1-on-1 about household, his journey, and his love for the sport.
The Atlanta native has a ‘robust village’ behind him
Coming from a proficient household alongside “collegiate athletes and high-level music producers and artists,” as Rikai famous, Ausar credit his mother and father with being there each step of the best way. “We bought a robust village. Our mother and father have been collectively for years, they usually led the best way,” he mentioned.
His confidence on the basketball courtroom is simple, as is his love for the sport. Off the courtroom, the Atlanta native serves his group, persevering with a household legacy of giving again. Final Thanksgiving, Ausar hosted a turkey drive to lift psychological well being consciousness and help households in want. And this fall, he bought college provides and different requirements for the youth by way of back-to-school giveaways.
‘My household is primary.’
With a household of his personal, Ausar enjoys being a dad. “Fatherhood is enjoyable to me, as a result of I’m younger myself and I bought two of them,” he mentioned. “I really like my youngsters.”
Household fuels the younger father to deal with his sport and lead by instance. “Going again to what drives me, my youngsters, I do know they’re watching always,” he mentioned. “I’m simply attempting to be that chief for them.”
Being a mother or father motivated him early on. “After I had my first baby, it was time to decide on that trajectory that I used to be going to move down. So I’ve been staying with it this entire time. And yearly, I elevated. I all the time wish to excellent my craft,” he mentioned. “My household is my greatest motive. My household is primary.”
His school profession started at East Carolina College
Competing at IMG Academy and Liberty Heights as a excessive schooler set Ausar up for achievement in his collegiate profession. He began out at East Carolina, the place he turned a standout participant and was named to the All-AAC Freshman Crew.
East Carolina was “sort of my final possibility on the time,” he shared. “My son was simply born and I didn’t wish to go too far-off.” However his efficiency at ECU helped launch Ausar to the subsequent degree. “I don’t haven’t any regrets.”
Rikai famous, “Your stat line for a freshman was actually good, rattling close to a double-digit rating.”
“My freshman 12 months, I wasn’t anticipating to play that a lot,” mentioned Ausar. “I ended up having a 12 months that no one anticipated. I shocked myself. I’m undoubtedly proud as a result of that was my 12 months. That was a fantastic 12 months.”
The junior ahead arrived at Utah to compete within the Massive 12
Ausar transferred to Utah this 12 months for his junior season, “going from a mid-major to a Energy 5 college,” Rikai mentioned. The College of Utah debuted this fall as a brand new member of the aggressive Massive 12 athletic convention. “New workforce, new season. We’re studying, we’re rising,” mentioned Ausar. “It’s a fantastic environment. Nice individuals right here, been getting nothing however love.”
To this point in his first season with the Runnin’ Utes, Ausar has been acknowledged for being an “thrilling expertise.” Regardless of dropping to Mississippi State in a November sport, KSL Sports activities mentioned Utah “proved fairly aggressive” with Ausar main his workforce in scoring with 15 factors.
Ausar stays targeted on the sport
In terms of basketball, Ausar is locked in and unbothered by distractions. “You gotta keep humble. I by no means bought caught up within the hype of issues,” he mentioned. “I believe I used to be simply busy attempting to deal with enjoying exhausting.”
His recommendation for student-athletes like himself is what bought him so far. “Don’t get caught up within the politics of issues. I needed to discover ways to block out the noise,” he mentioned. “Make choices for your self and belief your self.”
“I all the time went with what I believed was the very best factor for me. I trusted my decision-making,” he mentioned.
Catch the total dialog with Ezra Ausar above. Hearken to this episode of SZN Opener on the City One Podcast Community or your favourite podcast streaming platform.
Concerning the ‘SZN Opener’ podcast
SZN Opener is again with brand-new episodes that includes the brightest up-and-coming athletes in school sports activities right this moment. Season three returns with a contemporary batch of in-depth interviews, highlighting the tales of those inspiring school athletes as they share their formulation for achievement each on and off their respective enjoying fields.
The SZN Opener podcast spotlights Black school athletes and their inspiring tales of exhausting work, character, and excellence. Hosted by dynamic on-air persona, producer, and filmmaker, Rodney Rikai, pay attention in as they share their triumphs and challenges, whereas navigating demanding schedules and planning for careers past commencement. With focus and dedication, these multifaceted school athletes embody excellence from the classroom to the enjoying area. Tune in to SZN Opener and uncover extra on CassiusLife.com.
