Meet Your Trojans: Ben Marcus

LITTLE ROCK – This week's featured "Meet Your Trojans" student-athlete is men's basketball player Ben Marcus, a Mathematics/Secondary Education major from Pine Bluff, Ark.
 
Marcus was a redshirt freshman on last year's record-setting team that won 30 games, Sun Belt regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Little Rock's season opener will be held at the Jack Stephens Center against Central Baptist on Nov. 12. Tipoff is 3 p.m.
 
What made you want to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock?
 
Growing up in Pine Bluff, I lived right down the road from Little Rock and my dad was a huge Derek Fisher fan. He used to come and watch Derek Fisher when he was younger and he would bring me to the games back when Shane Edwards and coach Bozeman used to play. I always came to their games. So, after seeing them play and really liking the vibe of the school I just really wanted to come here.
 
What's your favorite thing to do in Little Rock?
 
I would say going downtown to the River Market and just walking around seeing the culture there. Going to the many different social spots. I actually like going to the Zoo sometimes with my siblings when they visit. So I would say those would be my three favorites. My favorite animals to see are the penguins.
 
What's the best part about being a Trojan?
 
Just the family feeling, that no matter what's happening everybody is going to be on your side. Nobody is going to abandon you. Whether you are at your high or at your low, they are going to support you through it all.
 
What's something that most people don't know about you?
 
I like to read. Nobody would probably assume that I like to read but when I'm not at the school I'm probably at home reading something. I'm currently reading Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, the eighth book in the series. So when I get the chance to finish that I'll be pretty happy.
 
Who is the athlete you most admire?
 
I would have to say LeBron James. He may not be my favorite player but I just like the simple fact that he stuck with the city that he loves and where he was raised. Being able to bring Cleveland something that they had been longing for and just not ever giving up on them is what makes me respect him the most.
 
What's the earliest memory you have of participating in basketball?
 
When I was six years old playing at the YMCA. It was before I really knew about goggles and contacts. I was that little short kid with the glasses, dribbling around and just shooting the ball all the time. I eventually started wearing goggles and contacts and it changed my game a lot. I would be passive and didn't want anyone to knock my glasses off or I didn't want to mess them up.
 
What's the best advice you've received?
 
Never let anybody take your confidence because once you lose your confidence it is impossible for you to push yourself beyond the limits that you have.
 
Who was your childhood hero?

My grandfather. He pretty much introduced me to sports. He wanted me to play football but I was always a basketball guy. He would always take me to a Cowboys game or to a Mavericks game. And just his fight through his life with cancer was what pushed me to keep going on.
 
What advice would you give to children just getting started in athletics?
 
Believe in yourself and trust in the guidance of your family and your coaches. Don't think that you're too good for them.
 
What's the most interesting thing you've learned recently?
 
Everything is not going to be perfect but as long as you strive for perfection, you should be satisfied with those results. If you settle for less, then of course you're going to get less than what you're supposed to. For example, with basketball and all the expectations that we have coming off of a good season. If we strive for perfection now and work as hard as we can to do the best that we can, we'll be happy with what we've done and not what everybody else is expecting.
 
What are some of the community service projects you've been involved with since coming to Little Rock?
 
Since I'm in a secondary education focus I do a lot of things in the schools. I've taught three different grades, lessons based on my major and I'm currently tutoring. I would say that's the most fun because it gives me a smaller group to where we can relate and talk while I'm helping them figure out what they are trying to learn.
 
What's your favorite home-cooked meal?
 
My mom's Cajun catfish with spicy potatoes and macaroni.
 
What's the best reason people should attend your team's games?
 
Just the enjoyment of seeing a group of guys coming together as a family and having fun. You don't see us bickering at each other or fighting over who's doing what. You see a group of guys passionate about what we do and enjoying playing the game of basketball.
 
What does GRIT mean to you?
 
Actually when Mr. Conque brought it up that was probably the most direct statement that could come from this program. Little Rock has always been a great program at its highs and at its lows and mediums. Introducing GRIT to the program just pushes everyone a step further to build on the integrity of what this program is and has the potential to be. So GRIT is just a word that you can say to let yourself know that you have more to give and that you shouldn't stop until you strive for it.