Athlete of the Week: Yaqub Mir sets all-time scoring record at Granite Bay

The Granite Bay High boys' basketball team won the last three games, including two Sierra Foothill League victories over the Oak Ridge Trojans and the Rocklin Thunder. In the 67-61 win over the Trojans on Jan. 11, Grizzlies senior Yaqub Mir scored 40 points and he added 17 in the win over the Thunder last Friday. Mir also recently passed 1,000 career points in his high school career and is the all-time leading scorer at Granite Bay High School. On the Grizzlies varsity team since his freshman year, Mir has helped lead the team to the section title game last season at Golden 1 Center. Gold Country Media asked Mir some questions and his answers follow. What is the best part about playing basketball at Granite Bay High School? Mir: "The best part about playing at Granite Bay High School for me is being able to compete in a great Sierra Foothill League as well as play with my teammates who I have grown up with in the area since middle school." How long have you been playing basketball competitively and who/what is your biggest motivation? Mir: "I've been playing basketball competitively since I was in elementary school. I grew up playing seven sports but basketball was my main. My biggest motivation are those who tell me I can't. I think that motivates me the most. The 'haters.'" Did any of your family members play sports and if so who and at what levels? Mir: "None of my family members played a sport competitively. I'm the first." You scored 40 points in the win over Oak Ridge High last Thursday. What has contributed to your solid play offensively so far this season? Mir: "I put a lot of work into my game and athleticism in the offseason and I think that has helped the most. I also would like to give credit to my teammates and coaches who put me in a position to score the ball." You also recently achieved the milestone of 1,000 career points and the all-time leading scorer for the Grizzlies. What do these milestones mean to you and how excited were you when you found out you hit the 1,000 mark? Mir: "Coming into my freshman year, I didn't know I was going to become the all-time leading scorer, let alone hit the 1,000 points mark. I honestly just took every game one at a time and went out there to enjoy playing basketball and to win because I'm a competitor. I was very excited when I found out and grateful because I know how much work I put into it outside. I would also really like to thank my mom and dad because I know without them, I wouldn't be where I am today at all." What are your biggest goals for the rest of your senior season? Mir: "I have two goals for the remainder of the season. One is to win the league title and second is to get back to the section championship game and win it." Have you ever been involved in other sports? Mir: "I grew up playing seven sports competitively: basketball, soccer, baseball, track and field, swim, tennis and cross-country. One sport I wish I played was football." Do you have a favorite professional athlete? If so, who and why? Mir: "My favorite professional athlete of all time is Kobe Bryant. I loved him not only for his game but for his mentality. My current favorite is James Harden because I believe he is one of the greatest scorers of all time and he is just fun to watch and learn from with his pace." What is/has been your favorite class in school and why? Mir: "My favorite class I've taken has either been Advanced Placement Statistics or IB Business Management. I love math and numbers and would like to pursue that in college as well." Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Mir: "I have two favorite artists of all time, depending on my mood. My first is Drake because I feel like he is much more than just a rapper because you can listen to his music anytime anyplace. My second is Lil Uzi Vert. I grew up listening to him and his music and energetic flow is truly personal to him, which is what I like about it." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Mir: "My favorite restaurant is El Sombrero Taqueria and my favorite food is chicken alfredo pasta." Outside of school and playing basketball, what do you like to do in your free time? Mir: "Outside of basketball, I love making music and instrumentals. I use a computer and keyboard to create beats and it is something that I find fun and interesting in my free time." Is there a particular job you'd like to have someday? Mir: "One day, I would like to start my own business. I would like to study economics, finance and computer science in college so I feel like that should help me a lot with business startups and knowing the logistics." If you had a piece of advice for other local athletes, what would you tell them? Mir: "The biggest key of advice I would tell local athletes would be to be yourself, regardless of media, talk or people. If you're true to yourself and are worried about what you can do, then everything is in your control. There will be people who will put you down on purpose or try to drag you down but you have to have enough confidence and self-motivation to be the best version of you."