South Placer Boys' Athlete of the Year: Yaqub Mir leads Granite Bay basketball to section title game and NorCal playoffs

Despite entering the postseason with a 12-17 record and placing fifth in the Sierra Foothill League, the Granite Bay High boys' basketball team caught fire at the right time. The Grizzlies earned the 13-seed in the Division II playoffs and went on a run, defeating St. Mary's and Woodcreek High on the road. In the semifinals, the Grizzlies defeated top-seeded Rio Americano High 58-56 on a game-winning step back jump shot by senior Yaqub Mir. Mir led the Grizzlies all season with over 22 points per game and scored 27 in the Sac-Joaquin Section title game against Whitney High, despite falling 61-56. Mir was named the Sierra Foothill League's Most Valuable Player and also helped lead the Grizzlies to a first round NorCal win over top-seeded Clayton Valley Charter. Mir will play basketball at the University of California at San Diego. "He has been great for four years and he has built our team to get here the last four years," Grizzlies coach Jason Sitterud said following the section title loss to Whitney High. Gold Country Media asked Mir some questions and his answers follow. What was your favorite moment from your senior season of basketball? Mir: "My favorite moment from my senior year was hitting the game winning shot in the section semifinals against Rio Americano High to send our team to the section championship in back to back years. Hitting a game winner like that is what you dream of and impersonate when you're a kid in the backyard shooting hoops." When you look back at your high school basketball career, what are some of your favorite memories/moments? Mir: "Being named the Sacramento boys' basketball Athlete of the Year, being named the Sierra Foothill League Most Valuable Player and being selected Division II First-Team All-State." You scored more than 1,000 career points at Granite Bay High, breaking the school scoring record. How exciting is it to know your name is in the Granite Bay High record books? Mir: "I never thought coming in as a freshman that I would hold that record but as time went on, I realized I could strive for that benchmark. It's an honor knowing that the record should be there for a good amount of time hopefully and I will never forget it." What do you feel were your biggest strengths this past season and what do you still need to work on prior to playing in college? Mir: "I feel this past season, I was able to score much easier compared to my other three years of high school. I had stronger ball handling and was able to create shots for myself and teammates when needed. College will definitely be different since many will be older, stronger, faster and just have more overall experience. I will need to be able to face the challenges of being a freshman again and keep pushing through them." Speaking of college, you will attend the University of California at San Diego. What are you most looking forward to with college basketball? Mir: "I'm looking forward to winning and being able to compete at the Division I level, which is the highest level to play in college." What or who got you into playing competitive basketball? Mir: "My mom and dad got me into playing seven sports as a kid: baseball, soccer, basketball, track and field, swimming, tennis and cross-country. I loved basketball the best and when I told my dad I wanted to pursue playing in college, my mom and dad helped me every step of the way there. I shot at the park with my dad almost every day for hours before and after school and worked out and lifted with him after too. Those days are what made me who I am today." You've traveled around a lot playing basketball in high school and at a club level. Do you have a favorite place you've visited or enjoy traveling to? Mir: "I've been all around the country for travel basketball playing on the Adidas-sponsored circuit, but out of the East and West Coast, I still love Southern California the most. The weather and just the community there is something I always enjoy and especially the beaches." Having now finished four years of high school basketball, what would you tell an incoming freshman who wants to play the sport? Mir: "One piece of advice I could give to incoming freshmen is to always be yourself, regardless of the situation. Always do and be you because at the end of the day, you can always help yourself by doing the things nobody wants to do. Many will try to put you down or tell you you're not good enough but if you have the inner confidence to be yourself and do what's best for you, then the sky's the limit."