Throughout the four years of college, students make and build friendships, often based on similar interests, majors or even through a process called random roommate.
That’s what happened in the men’s basketball program several years ago, forming the most unlikely of friendships.
Seniors Kenny Hall and Skylar McBee met freshman year, but it wasn’t basketball that ended up being the basis of their friendship. The two were suite mates.
To Hall, looking back at freshman year, living with McBee meant a lot of country music. Apparently that’s what Hall remembers from those early months together.
McBee said the time together built a lasting friendship.
“It’s funny. I think even though, looking at us and our backgrounds, coming from two completely different areas of life, I still think Kenny’s probably one of the guys I’m closest to on the team,” McBee said. “I feel like we can talk about stuff, and I feel like coming in together, being suite mates, even though we’re from different walks of life. It’s one of those things where we were compatable and we really got along. I don’t think it could have worked out any better.”
Now, the two have come to the end of their collegiate career, both as students and as a part of the university’s basketball program.
“It’s something I haven’t thought too much about until now,” Hall said. “Time has come by fast and we both came in together, being suite mates some years ago, and it’s finally here. We’re about to ride out together.”
Both players struggled through adversity over the years and not just on the court. Hall said he’s seen growth and development as players, teammates and people on both his part and McBee’s.
“You grow as a person and a player,” Hall said of his time at UT. “I went through a lot of situations on and off the floor that molded me into the person I am today and will hopefully shape me for what I will become.”
McBee said it’s been a gift to share these experiences and aspirations with Hall over the years.
“You’re gonna go through different things. Maybe not similar things, you’re gonna go through struggles and adversities,” he said. “Growing with each other for four years, he’s my brother.
“We talk about things that go on, not only on the basketball floor, but as a college student, as a young adult trying to come up and find your way. It’s a lot of growing up that takes place in these four years and like he said, it’s molded us into the people we are now and I think will continue to shape us for the rest of our lives.”
On a less somber note, Hall encouraged McBee to hold onto his current facial hair, apparently ignoring its current goat-like appearance.
“Let it grow, man. Keep growing it. I like it, personally,” he said, laughing.
McBee took the matter a bit more seriously.
“I’ll keep it at least till the end of the season,” he said straight-faced. “When these job interviews start happening, there might have to be a little trim that happens, but we’ll worry about that then. I’m not really too focused on that, just focused on finishing out this season.”
