In these troubling times there are those who wonder about the tension between peace and conflict…and there are those who are actually figuring out how to resolve it. With an economics degree under his belt and a 4.00 GPA while studying for in master’s degree in peace and conflict studies, Christian Lutete might not only decide how to achieve world peace, but also how we can afford to pay for it! He started his college career at Radford and is finishing it with the River Hawks: in between he averaged 11.8 PPG/5 RPG in 121 games. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Christian about scoring 51 PTS in a game last November and the impact of the coronavirus on college basketball.
You began your college career at Radford: why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose UMass Lowell? The opportunity at Radford just did not work out. UMass Lowell gave me an opportunity and it was a really good fit for me.
Each of the past 2 years you have been among the America East leaders in RPG: how are you able to be such a great rebounder despite standing 6’5”? I just try to play each possession as hard as I can. I take pride in being a high-motor player and helping in other ways besides scoring: rebounding helps us win.
In November you scored a career-high 51 PTS/7-12 3PM in a win at LIU: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? It kind of felt like that, but during the game you are in the moment and doing whatever it takes to win so I did not even realize how many PTS I scored until my coach told me in the locker room afterward. I play my best basketball when I am aggressive and just trust what I can do. It was a great experience.
You and Josh Gantz are the only 2 seniors/grad students on the team: how do you think the team will do next year without you 2 veteran leaders? I think the team will still be good. We have a lot of young pieces that will continue to improve and the coaches are phenomenal. They are great people who run the program with integrity.
Earlier this week you were named an Academic All-American: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I am really honored to win the award because our program/coaches stress the importance of doing well both on and off the court. When I am in the classroom I am giving it 100% and trying to be the best student I can be, and on the court I try to be the best basketball player I can be. They go hand-in-hand: hard work, competition, etc. Education has been important to me since I was young.
1 of your high school teammates at Phillips Exeter was James Foye, who just made the Academic All-American team for the 2nd straight year as a senior at Dartmouth: what was he like back in the day, and did you simply have the smartest basketball team in the entire country? James is definitely smarter than me. We had a great bond during high school and he is a really close friend: we used to work out all the time in the off-season. It is a well-deserved honor because he is a great student/player/friend.
You already earned your bachelor’s degree in economics and now have a 4.00 GPA while working on a master’s degree in peace and conflict studies: why did you choose those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I came here as a business management major but I enjoy economics. I wanted to do something more abstract/creative with my master’s so peace and conflict seemed like the best program: it is about how to create change in the world and what that change looks like. I want to play pro basketball and am working toward that goal, but I also want to be a positive change in the African-American community. I went to a public school in DC and it was not the best, but Exeter is probably the #1 academic school in the country. They are 2 different worlds and I want to bring some equality to education.
Your favorite sports figure was Kobe Bryant: what was your reaction after learning of his death in January? When I heard of his death I was immediately in disbelief. I thought he was like a mythical creature who would never die. I was shocked/sad for a while but seeing the reaction of people to his death shows how much influence he had during his life, which is great. He was not only my favorite player but also my favorite figure: he was tenacious in everything that he did and I love what he stood for.
Any thoughts on the impact of the coronavirus on college basketball this month? I just pray that people do not get sick. It sucks if fans cannot attend the NCAA tourney because they bring a lot of passion to the game. In the greater scheme of things this virus is happening everywhere: the NBA just got suspended yesterday. I hope they figure out a vaccine: our school is suspended as well and I have never seen anything like this in my young lifetime.