Going one on one with Benjamin Sim

Q: Tell me a little bit on how it all started. I was told that you played basketball outside of the country before.

A: My family migrated to Vancouver, Canada, when I was seven years old and I started out playing football in a little league when I first got there. My mum would later show me how to play basketball since she was the athletic one in the family.

I also enjoy playing golf as well since I worked on a golf course there for a while.

I graduated with a diploma in fitness training back in 2003 and I found myself back in Brunei just about three years ago. I made some new friends in KB (Kuala Belait) who I would play ball together with. I eventually joined tournaments in Miri as well.

Q: How can you compare playing overseas and here?

A: I think it's just that the community is bigger outside.

Q: You produced good numbers, an average of 20.6 points and 10.8 rebounds, in the 3rd China-Asean Basketball Invitational tournament at Pingguo County, Guangxi, China recently. How did you manage that?

A: I've always been used to playing against bigger players since high school. I'm known more for being a slasher and not a shooter. But I guess it is my confidence that helped me achieved those stats. We worked hard as team but too bad the results didn't show and we'll continue working on that.

(Brunei finished eighth overall amongst nine teams in the Nov 30 - Dec 6 competition)

Q: What do you think about finishing as runners-up spot in the Open Category of the Chung Hwa Middle School (CHMS) Alumni Association 18th Anniversary Basketball tournament? You think it's a fair result?

A: It is sort of bittersweet for me. It is nice to see the younger players improve and coming up. It is good for Brunei basketball as well but I'm a competitive person and I would have loved to win the game.

(Sim's team Soon Lee-Easyway A lost 77-75 to Soon Lee-Easyway B in the final despite his 30-point effort before fouling out in the fourth quarter)

Q: The national basketball coach, Kevin Reece, said that it will be a wake up call for the veteran cagers to get their act together. So what are you expecting in the new year?

A: There will be plenty of hard work. Everything is coming together and we're hoping to get more competitions outside of the country. I think that the coach is putting it out to the players that are on the border. Coach will be looking for the 15 strong and for those who are more committed.

Q: You are one of the more experienced players on the team, what do you think of the country's current standard for the sport? How much has the team progressed?

A: I think that the mentality of the players has changed. There is not much difference in terms of talents and skills but everyone starts to realized that we can play despite being such a small country.

Q: What do you think needs to be done to further improve the standard of the sport in the country?

A: Brunei has got good individual players. However, we're still lacking in teamwork. For the team to succeed, we'll have to play as one unit instead of having one superstar. Everyone will need to know the basics and fundamentals.

Q: Being the captain of the national team, how can you help your teammates?

A: Just to be competitive and teach them all that I know from my past experience. I would like to help out in whatever way which can let them improve.

Q: You are very athletic but what would you consider the strongest part of your game?

A: Skill wise - I would have to say it is in an open court. Get the rebound and run the open floor in the transition game to score.

Q: You have good stamina and well built. Let me in on your secret on your diets and schedule for hitting the gym

A: I think it is important to have a good attitude. I have a half decent diet and get to the gym pretty much everyday since I'm working as a fitness trainer. Personally, I workout five times a week.

Q: Any strict diets for you to follow?

A: Nope. I eat everything in moderation.

Q: Do you have any player that you get your inspirations from?

A: I would have to say Steve Nash (of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA). His high school is not far from where I studied (Riverside Secondary School) and there was once where we were invited to his camp. He made a guest appearance and him being there to give a talk was a big deal for me.

Q: Quite a number of players move on to become coaches once they retire from being an athlete. Do you have any thoughts about that?

A: I love coaching. I'm already looking forward to becoming a coach or even being the national coach. That's the reason why I became a fitness trainer as I like to teach and motivate.

Q: You have any additional comments before we end this interview?

A: I just want to thank everyone who has been supporting us. I would also like to thank those who don't since they're still thinking about us and we take that as support. I would like to say special thanks to Coach K and Wira (Pori) for making everything possible and I'm looking forward to 2011 already.

The Brunei Times