Austin Bats Basketball

PLAYER SPOT LIGHT #42 Terence Cato
This week we were able to sit down and talk with long time Austin Bat Terence Cato, to see what it means to be a Bat. Cato has been with the Bats since 2015 and plays PF and center. Through this spot light we are able to see what is most important for Cato and what he see for the Bats in the next season to come!

When asked what is the best advice he has ever received he states:
“You’re never gonna play a perfect game.- Just keep playing. Basketball’s never perfect. Just keep playing. You might have a bad game, but just keep playing.”

The season can be a lot, so when asked what keeps him motivated, he expressed:
“Man, because the Bats is like a family. Miss Leticia is like everybody’s mom. -it’s like a big family, and it’s hard to go away from it because I’m one of the oldest players. Last year I was really done playing, but it’s hard to because it’s like a family. -Miss Leticia made the Bats feel like one big family. I love it, and I love her for that.”

Playing for so long, we wondered where it all started, he stated:
“Oh, when I was little, I started playing basketball when I was eight. I’m from South Austin, and I used to go to Montopolis Rec every day after school. I just got the love for it because I met most of my friends through basketball. So yeah, just being young and going to the rec and seeing how basketball brought people together. So I just loved it from the day I laid eyes on it. So ever since I was eight, I’ve been playing basketball.”

We appreciate your time Cato, and we can’t wait to see whats in store next season! 🦇🦇

PLAYER SPOT LIGHT: #21 AUSTIN COX

This week we got to sit down with Austin Cox, who plays small forward for the Austin Bats, to talk about what it’s like to be on the Bats! Playing all over the world and playing in the ABA for 5 years, this last season was Austin’s second year with the Bats. We were able to see what he imagines for the Austin Bats, and how he became the player that he is today.

When asked about the best quality of the Bats and how the team differs than most ABA teams he expressed:
“The best quality that I find in the bats is our willingness to be professional and to take this seriously. -As we know, this is a professional league, the ABA. Everyone shows up with the passion they played with, and the heart that they have for the team, and just wanted to make the Austin community proud. So I believe we achieved that last year, and we’re looking to do it again this year.”

After being asked what keeps him motivated to keep playing even though everyday life has a demanding routine he responds:
“What keeps me motivated is just my love for the game. If you love basketball, you love basketball. That’s all I can really say. And people who love basketball know we’re gonna play until the wheels fall off. So regardless if we’re being paid, regardless if we’re paying to go play, whether it’s Ghost Gym, or just anywhere, it’s a little bit gonna keep you going.”

While discussing his development with basketball he expressed important advice he received that he uses on the court everyday;
“Well, it’s pretty simple, but just be yourself. -A lot of people want you to say or do things their way, but I’m not a person who was raised to conform to others. And when you’re safe and you believe in yourself, it’s really not a hard thing to do. So just being myself and not letting anybody shape me or define who I am.”

We appreciate the time Austin has given us and can’t wait to see him play more with the Bats!! 🦇🦇!!

Austin Bats Media: Sara Santos/Ava Sala

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