Q&A with Bloomfield Hills multi-sport athlete Brady Klein
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — At just 15 years old and a freshman at Bloomfield Hills High School, Brady Klein is determined to become a professional athlete. To develop his athletic abilities, he participates in football, basketball, and track & field. His passion for sports can be traced back to his toddler years, where he began dribbling a basketball as soon as he could walk. Now, after 13 years of practicing and honing his skills, he is a member of the high school basketball team. As he finishes his freshman year of playing high school sports, Klein reflects on the valuable lessons he has learned from being a part of multiple teams.
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Brady Klein: My big dreams are to become a professional athlete, but my personal short-term goals are to work hard to make the Varsity teams for all my high school sports. I would love to compete and play sports in college as well.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Klein: My biggest challenge is my height. I was not blessed with very tall or athletic parents so I have to work even harder to be a competitor in my sports. I am always working hard to be stronger, faster and fiercer. I have to work really hard to stay in shape and be my best self.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Klein: Coach Mike Hundley and Coach LeBaron Dock (BHHS Freshman Basketball Coaches) always tell me 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter how you start, it matters how you finish.鈥�
Coach Dion Harris (Bloomfield Bulls Travel Basketball Coach, former Univ of Michigan Basketball Player) told me during one of our off-season training sessions, 鈥淵ou are going to be the one to succeed and show improvement to the coaches because you are the one putting the work in when no one else is.鈥�
What do you love about your sport?
Klein: I love basketball because it’s a fast paced game. You work as a team but each have your own shining moments. I love the team effort. What I love about football is the physicality of the game, the camaraderie of a large team, the discipline of the team, and that we act like brothers. This is my first year on a track & field team. I have really enjoyed learning new skills, particularly shot-put. I have learned a lot of about the importance of form and technique to be a better runner.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Klein: For basketball I always listen to music and 鈥渓ock-in鈥� during warm ups. I get my energy and confidence from the crowd and my supporters in the stands. For football, the bus rides hype us up on the bus and teammates hype each other up to find the energy and power to be a strong team.
I have yet to have my first track meet…so we will see!
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Klein: I like to hang out with my friends, play sports for fun, watch sports, and play video games.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Klein: Being on a lot of different teams has taught me to be a team player. There are different roles you can play on a team. When one of my teammates is down, I bring them back up. I like to be the guy who is positive and has energy whether on the court/field or on the bench/sidelines.
Even if my team is losing, I want to be the guy to help my teammates have a positive attitude and play better.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Klein: Coach Gregg Jones (Flag Football Coach for many years, former NFL linebacker, Super Bowl Champion with NY Giants, Michigan State All American) would always say 鈥淲inning and losing doesn鈥檛 define who you are.鈥� Coach Gregg also always talked about being an all-around good person and respectful player.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Klein: During a BHHS basketball game, I started off missing my first few shots and lost my confidence. I let my teammates down by missing the shots and having a rough start to a game. I let my performance affect my attitude. But my coaches and teammates brought me back up and I ended up scoring 20 points and having it be my highest-scoring game of the season.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to add:
Klein: If you work your hardest and push yourself as hard as you can, you end up growing as an athlete physically and mentally, and succeed at what you are trying to accomplish.
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