Phoenix Suns 'Fun Facts': Torrey Craig left his first love football to chase hoop dreams

Torrey Craig is proud of his small town roots in north-central South Carolina.

His basketball journey took him from his college alma mater South Carolina Upstate to Australia's and New Zealand's NBL for three years before he became a 27-year-old NBA rookie with the Denver Nuggets in 2017.

The Republic continues its “Fun Facts” series about the Phoenix Suns with Craig, who explained why he abandoned South Carolina high school football for basketball.

Name: Torrey Craig

Position: SF

Age: 31

NBA season: 5th

Twitter: @TCraig_23

Instagram: @tcraig3_

Fun fact: Craig left his first love football for hoops dreams.

Q: Where are you from, and how did that influence you playing basketball?

TC: I'm from Great Falls, South Carolina. It's a small populated town in South Carolina, about 3,000 people, high school had 300 kids, a public school, very small. Not a lot of successful people who come out of there, so once I made it to the NBA it was a huge deal, first-person from that area. Even making it to college and (playing pro basketball) overseas, let alone the NBA. So that's why I cherish these moments and not take anything for granted while I'm playing in the NBA.

Q: How did you find strong competition to develop your skills in that setting?

TC: I was just always super competitive no matter who the competition was. And even though I went to a small school, we used to play against bigger schools like 4A, 5A (state conference) teams that were ranked and we beat those guys. Kind of that underdog mentality with a chip on your shoulder, something-to-prove mentality that's carried me this far.

Q: South Carolina produces lots of elite football talent. 

TC: Yeah, it's a football state, for sure.

Q: Some of its natives include (Cardinals wide receiver) DeAndre Hopkins ...

TC: (Browns defensive end) Jadeveon Clowney, (Colts cornerback) Stephen Gilmore, yeah.

Q: Did coming from a football state ever tempt you to play that sport?

TC: I played football all throughout high school. And then my senior year I decided not to play because I knew I wanted to go to college to focus on basketball, so I didn't want to risk getting injured. Up until my 11th grade year, I played football since I was a youth. 

Q: What position did you play?

TC: Wide receiver, safety, my early ages I was quarterback, a little bit of everything.

More Suns 'Fun Facts': Devin Booker | Chris Paul | Bismack Biyombo | Elfrid Payton | Cam Payne

Have tips for us? Reach the reporter at dana.scott@azcentral.com or at 480-486-4721. Follow his Twitter @iam_DanaScott.

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