Chris Ames is known for bringing his energy to the court. He is not known for his scoring. In fact, earlier this season coach Ronny Thompson asked Ames if he could hit water if he threw the ball over the side of a boat while floating in the ocean. Ames responded by leading the team in shooting percentage, making almost 70 percent of his shots for the season. While he only averages 4.1 points per game, there's no question that's because of his defensive intensity and energy on the floor, he is one of the key players for Ball State's men's basketball team. The Daily News sat down with the energetic senior as he prepares for his final regular-season game.
What are you going to miss most about Ball State?
"The fans. The fans are just amazing. It surprises me how many fans know you by heart, know your background, know what you do and everything like that. So, for them to know all that is just a great thing. It doesn't matter how our season is going, up or down, they're going to be there regardless. That's the thing I'm going to miss most. And I'm going to miss my teammates and the coaching staff, even though I've had one year with some of the players and the coaching staff, but those are the main three things I'm going to miss."
Who on the team are you going to miss the most?
"I can't single no one out, but I've got a couple of players that I'm going to miss. I know I'm going to miss Anthony Newell, D'Andre Peyton, Skip Mills, everybody that was here the year I came in cause I had two years with them and we bonded real good for the two years. So, those guys right there I'm going to miss a lot."
Currently, you have a better shooting percentage than last year. Is that because of just being another year older and wiser?
"Yeah, I think that has a lot to do with it, and also your teammates giving you the ball at the right time. I give a lot of credit to my teammates because they don't put me into positions where I'll be taking a bad shot. And my shot selection, I feel to myself, is amazing because I'm not just going to go out there and take a bad shot. It's going to be a good shot every time. Sometimes players will get mad at me and be like, 'why didn't you take this shot?' If I don't feel comfortable with it, I'm not going to shoot it. I'd rather shoot something I feel comfortable with."
You often defend players who are a few inches taller than you. Is that a challenge?
"Well, I feel like it's a challenge for me to go out against bigger players, and I am able to do what I am able to do when I play them. I don't just let nobody bold over me at all. That's something that since I've played in high school, I had. I'm just not going to let you come in the game and overpower me, even though you are bigger than me, I'm going to find some way or something to outsmart you. Either I'm going to use my quickness or body you up even if you don't like pressure. So, playing big players, I just go into the game saying 'man, they're going to come at me, but I have to go at them even stronger.'"
Do you feel like you're sometimes underestimated?
"I actually do. I might be shorter than them, but I think I have the same strength that they do. And they come in feeling they can just throw the ball over me or just shoot right over me, but when you catch it, I'll be right on you."
Who is the best player you've defended well?
"Indiana State, [David] Moss. I felt like I did a really good job on him because he was a shooter, he was a lights-out shooter. Our coach said he was being recruited by NBA scouts and overseas scouts. I felt I did a really good job on him. I think I held him down to under his average - ten points under his average. Along with Skip Mills. Me and Skip kind of switched up on him a lot."
What do most Ball State fans not know about you?
"That I have a son."
What are your plans after college?
"To be honest, I really don't know. I'd love to go overseas and play ball, but it's no problem for me to get a nine-to-five, get a business job or go out there and just try and live life out. But I feel like I'm getting kind of old now, so it's about that time."
Where would you like to end up?
"I would prefer to end up anywhere down South, because the weather up here - I'm not a fan of the cold at all. It's just something that I do not adore at all. I wouldn't mind going over to the Europe league and playing some ball or going to Atlanta and starting my own business."
In ten years, where are you?
"Probably Tennessee.I pass through there every time I go home, and I go through there just so I can see Tennessee. I change my route just to go through Tennessee. I feel like I'm more likely going to be in Nashville or Memphis."
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