Steve Serby’s Q&A today is with Sebastian Telfair, the 18-year-old Lincoln High School point-guard phenom who will join cousin Stephon Marbury next season in the NBA.
Q: Who was your favorite NBA player growing up other than your cousin?
A: Michael Jordan.
Q: Which NBA player is your game similar to now?
A: Most people would say Isiah Thomas.
Q: If I didn’t know you were a New York city point guard, how would I be able to tell by watching you play?
A: The way I pass the ball.
Q: What kind of car do you drive now?
A: 350 Nissan Z.
Q: Are you going to get a new car with your new riches?
A: Not right now, but I’m pretty sure sometime I will.
Q: Any other plans for your money?
A: Get my mother a nice house.
Q: Where?
A: Wherever she wants to move.
Q: The best thing about Coney Island?
A: There’s a basketball court on every block.
Q: The worst thing about Coney Island?
A: It’s cold, ’cause we’re close to the water.
Q: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen growing up?
A: Someone hit by a car.
Q; Describe the Cyclone for people who haven’t been on it.
A: It’s a roller coaster (laughs). It goes fast, and it goes up and down, does a lot of turns.
Q: You weren’t scared?
A: No.
Q: How old were you?
A: Maybe 10. 10 and up.
Q: You went on it more than once?
A: Yeah.
Q: Did you ever walk to Nathan’s for a hot dog?
A: I walk on the boardwalk and I go to Nathan’s, get some food.
Q: For people that never had a Nathan’s hot dog, tell them what they’re missing.
A: Best hot dog in the world.
Q: Are you going to the senior prom?
A: I’ll be in Chicago for the pre-draft camp.
Q: Are you a good dancer anyway?
A: Yes (laughs).
Q: What are you getting your mom for Mother’s Day?
A: Louis Vuitton bag.
Q: Do you remember a very sad Christmas growing up?
A: Yes.
Q: Because there were things that you wanted?
A: I always wanted a bike and I never got one until I was about 13.
Q: What was the worst thing about the recruiting process?
A: People asking me questions that I don’t want to answer. “Are you going to NBA or are you going to college?” Hearing that question every day.
Q: Favorite TV show?
A: “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Friday.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Jamie Foxx.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Julia Roberts.
Q: Favorite singer/rap group?
A: Jay-Z.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island with one woman, who would you pick?
A: (Laughs) Let’s say that I’m gonna die, right?
Q: You weren’t coming back.
A: My mother. I might never get to see her again.
Q: Favorite book?
A: “Night” by Elie Wiesel.
Q: Favorite teacher?
A: I have a lot of favorite teachers … Mrs. Deparris, P.S. 238. She was my Spanish teacher, and she worked with me a lot, and we had a lot of fun learning.
Q: What’s your favorite video game?
A: 007, James Bond.
Q: Who would you like to meet that you haven’t met?
A: Michael Jordan.
Q: What would you ask him?
A: I just want to shake his hand. I just want to hang out with him (laughs). Also I want to meet Kayne West.
Q: Household chores you hate the most?
A: Washing dishes.
Q: You still do them?
A: No. Dishwasher (laughs).
Q: Your worst habit?
A: Pickin’ out of other people’s food.
Q: What did you learn from the Kobe Bryant incident?
A: Gotta be careful.