2008-09 News and Features

Holding Court with Royal

10 Questions with Sixers guard Royal Ivey

SIXERS.COM caught up with point guard Royal Ivey, one of the team's free agent acquisitions this off-season. He sat down to talk about his playing style, the transition from New York City to Austin, TX and why he came to the Sixers.

You were born in raised in NYC... how competitive was it growing up and playing ball there?
"New York is the city of basketball, especially for point guards. It was tough, real competitive. You had to always work on your game, that’s why I’m so competitive when I get out on the court."

A lot of NYC point guards are known for their flashiness, but you’re the exact opposite.
"I’m the garbage man. I’m blue collar. I take out the garbage. I’m not white collar like a doctor or a lawyer, I do the dirty work. It doesn’t look pretty but I get the job done."

In high school, you played for a well-known yet eccentric coach named Ron Naclerio… what was he like?
"They call him ‘Nutsy’. They call him ‘The Teacher’. He’s a great coach but he’s a lunatic! He motivates you if you can’t get motivated. He’s got a lot of clichés and he’s a funny guy, I love him. I’m thankful he was in my life."

Your high school won the NYC public league championship game at Madison Square Garden and you were named MVP, how great was that?
"A lot of great New York players have gotten that MVP trophy, so I’m glad I got the chance to play there. Playing at the Garden is the pinnacle of high school basketball in New York City. It was a great feeling. We were picked to win it all that year and got it done!"

How did a NYC kid end up playing for the University of Texas?
"Long story… I went to prep school for a year. I was supposed to go to Northwestern but it didn’t work out. I started panicking but stayed focused and UT came along and offered me a scholarship. I don’t think they thought anything and were just trying to bring another body in, but I turned it into something by playing hard and competing. I started as a freshman and never looked back. I was great helping turn that program around from nothing into something… three Sweet 16s, a Final Four, getting a million dollar practice facility built and putting them on the map as an elite program. I’m glad I had a part in it."

Did playing with and practicing against T.J. Ford in college give you more thought about your chances to make the NBA?
"He made me better and I made him better by competing against him. We became good friends as soon as we met. He’s a hec of a player. I took bits and pieces from his game… how he worked, how he’s patient and his understanding of the game."

Your first year in the league, you were with Atlanta who had Kenny Anderson, another NYC point guard… what was it like having him to learn from?
"He’s one of my idols, along with Dominique Wilkins. I looked up to those guys. Kenny Anderson was the prototypical New York City point guard. It was great watching him even though he was in the latter part of his career. I picked up a lot of things from him like being confident and to have a swagger when you step onto the court."

Last season in Milwaukee, you started showing other facets of your game besides defense... was that attributed to just getting more time out on the court?
"Everybody in this league can play. It’s about ‘When you’re out on the court, can you be productive?’ I spent a lot of time in the offseason working on my game. It was tough but I got it done and I’m glad I got the opportunity in Milwaukee. Guys got hurt and I stepped up and filled the void. Always be ready, that’s the main thing in this league. Never put your guard down."

Why did you decide to sign with the Sixers this past summer?
"The players, the coaching staff and being closer to home. This is a great organization; they take care of their players. It’s a family here… it resembles a college program. The players are good guys that want to win and they work hard. I wanted to be part of something different and something new, so that’s why it was attractive to me."