Suburban Life Most Valuable Athlete: Nick Kosich, York, senior, basketball

WHY HE WAS SELECTED:

York senior guard Nick Kosich scored 17 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field with three of the Dukes' 14 3-pointers, and also had five assists and three steals in a 77-50 win over Oswego East at the Ernie Kivisto Shootout.

Kosich talked to Suburban Life sports editor Joshua Welge about the season and more. Here is an edited version of the transcript:

Welge: So you guys shot 71.8 percent the other night, but you didn't seem that surprised?

Kosich: I think we are capable of doing that almost every night. I thought we shot the ball well from three. Being unselfish, great passing, great screening, that's what gets us high-percentage shots and gets it done.

Welge: Does familiarity help?

Kosich: 100 percent. I've been playing with the whole starting lineup and guys on the bench since probably the fourth or fifth grade, I think the four senior starters were up on varsity as sophomores. I love those guys like my brothers. It's a great group to be a part of.

Welge: Your team is 23-3. When did you sense this could be a special year?

Kosich: Honestly from the moment last year ended. We knew we had a special group. We focused on what we needed to do as a group, game by game.

Welge: Big weekend ahead, with Downers Grove North and Oak Park-River Forest, which could be for the conference title. Thoughts?

Kosich: We know [the OPRF game] is huge, but we have to be ready for every game. We're not looking forward or back.

Welge: Do you have plans to play in college?

Kosich: I'd love to play at the next level. Right now I have a lot of Division III and NAIA schools talking to me. I've been injured during AAU season the last couple years, which has been unfortunate. I'm excited with where I'm at with my game. I'll let this season play out and then worry about that stuff.