Nov. 10, 2015
By: Kathy Minko
Austin Torres, a junior forward for the Irish from Granger, Ind.–a mere ten minutes from campus–is a third-generation student-athlete and enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business. Torres, a Management Consulting major, was a key player during his sophomore season in games versus Purdue, Michigan State and Wake Forest. Torres is a consistent source of energy for the team, and his passion and hard work are expected to shine through the 2015-16 season.
Q: In a few articles from last season-namely after the Wake Forest game-Coach Brey attributed a lot of your success as a player for the Fighting Irish to your energy. Where do you channel that energy, despite not seeing too many minutes on the court last year?
A: I think it’s from my teammates. Always having a positive attitude just brings energy regardless. You never know when you’re going to get into the game, so you always have to be prepared. Even if you’re on the bench cheering for your teammates, as long as we’re being successful, that’s going to be my role, and that’s just something that will have to be.
Q: How have you been mentally and physically preparing for the season this year? What do you see your role as?
A: I feel like I’ve become more of a communicator on the team, being an upperclassman. I’ve been trying to get stronger and into better shape throughout this entire offseason and preseason. Also, I have worked a lot on my defense, not only being able to guard the outside, but also the perimeter.
Q: What’s the worst thing about being 6 foot 7?
A: The worst thing about being 6 foot 7 is going to haunted houses and having to duck through the attractions.
Q: What’s the weirdest ritual you have before games?
A: I take a nap in the locker room for about 30 minutes to an hour. We have couches, so I usually do that.
Q: If you could switch places with any one of your teammates, which one would it be and why?
A: If I could switch places with one of my teammates, it would probably be Zach [Auguste] just because he’s taller, which would be the one aspect I’d really want. He has a few inches on me.
Q: Would you rather be ugly and live forever or attractive and die in a year?
A: I’d probably be ugly and live forever because I’d be able to do so many things and would never get bored. I could do something different every single day in any country, even if I was ugly. How do you quantify ugly, though? Some people may already think I’m ugly! But it’s okay because I’m going to live forever and those people won’t.
Q: What’s it like being a townie on the team?
A: It’s exciting. I feel like it brings a lot of morale to the community, especially with Demetrius [Jackson] being here as well. It’s just a really exciting time. My mom and grandfather both went here, so I’m glad to keep this tradition in the family.
Q: What’s the most amount of food you’ve ever eaten?
A: Most amount of food was two double-steak burritos at Chipotle with chips and guac. I fell asleep right away. It was so good. I hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, and since I had a workout that day, I was super hungry.
Q: Who’s your spirit animal?
A: If my spirit animal was a person, I’d probably say my grandfather because he’s always been there for me. He’s done so much: taking me to all my AAU tournaments, all my workouts and all my college visits. He comes to every single game. He was my backbone throughout the entire process. If it were an animal, though, it would still be something that resembles my grandfather. A sloth maybe?
Q: If you could be good at any other sport, which would that be?
A: Soccer. They make a lot of money since there are no salary caps and the publicity in soccer is huge throughout the entire world, not just in one state or country.
Q: If you were trapped on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?
A: I’d bring an A-TV, a refrigerator full of food and a tent.
Q: Which Disney Princess are you most like?
A: There are a lot of different options. I’d probably say Cinderella just because her story relates to my life. I was taken for granted during the recruiting process. Then one day my glass slipper came around, and I’m taking advantage of it.