Freshman guard, Saint Louis University
By Mike Rainey
The key to success for Brad Soderberg and the Billikens is to keep top local talent from fleeing the city for perceived greener pastures elsewhere. Soderberg hit a home run when he was able to land Dwayne Polk. Polk was a standout at Vashon High School and averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game last season leading the Wolverines to a 31-0 record and the Class 4A state title. The Billikens expect their freshman prodigy, who’s a mere 5 feet 9 inches and 160 pounds, to use his considerable ball skills and lightning quickness to run the team’s offense efficiently and help it become a consistent participant in the NCAA Tournament in the years to come.
MR: Where does a freshman college basketball star hang out?
DP: I hang out at Wackadoo’s like once or twice a week. That’s an on-campus restaurant. On the weekends, I don’t do anything. I just sit in my room or at home.
MR: Which Billikens players are you the closest with?
DP: Luke Meyer, Danny Brown, Reggie Bryant and Vas’shun Newborne. I hang out with them quite often.
MR: Where do you like to shop?
DP: The Lark, Harold Pener and The Finish Line.
MR: What is your major at SLU?
DP: Business management.
MR: What would you like to do if a basketball career doesn’t work out?
DP: I haven’t really thought about that yet.
MR: Favorite dinner?
DP: Fried chicken.
MR: What is an ideal weekend getaway for you?
DP: To tell you the truth, I would go to my grandma’s house. It’s quiet, I can do anything I want to do there and there’s nobody there to bother me.
MR: How do you like college life so far?
DP: It’s great, it’s exciting. Meeting people from different countries is always fun. The atmosphere is fine and playing basketball is great.
MR: Why did you decide to stay in St. Louis for college when you were recruited by Valparaiso, Nebraska and Missouri?
DP: The main reason I decided to stay home and go to Saint Louis University was just the relationship with the coaches and the players. And my family’s here and I wanted to stay home.
MR: Best CD you’ve bought this year?
DP: I would say Nelly’s CD Sweat.
MR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
DP: Around my junior year of high school somebody told me that whenever I’m playing basketball to just have fun. That’s how I take it. Whenever I’m on the court and everyone sees me smiling, that’s because I’m just out there having fun.
MR: Favorite cartoon?
DP: Kim Possible. I have no idea why, I just watch it all the time.
MR: Who’s your idol?
DP: I really don’t have an idol, but I look up to Larry Hughes quite a bit.
MR: What was your first job?
DP: I worked at Hollywood Video for like a month and a half.
MR: How was that?
DP: It was all right, I liked it. But basketball kind of got in the way.
