Men’s Basketball News

Throughout the 2017-18 season, U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series Getting to know…”

Hegwood_head.png (43 KB)Name: John Hegwood
School: Mount Royal
Sport: Men’s basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Year of eligibility: Fourth
Program: Business Management
Hometown: Calgary


  1. What attracted you to Mount Royal University?

Watching the program build over the years at a very steady pace attracted me to play for MRU. A lot of former teammates I played with growing up are also on the team, and that has a great impact on my attraction to MRU.

  1. What’s your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?

One of my favourite memories was sweeping a very talented Manitoba team in our home gym when all odds were against us. We played together as a unit like we never have before and it was such a great feeling.

  1. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?

I have dreams of playing pro basketball overseas for multiple years just as my father did. It has always been something I've wanted to accomplish, and with hard work I feel like it’s definitely achievable.

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  1. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?

My mother, father and sister have had the greatest influence on my athletic career throughout the years of me coming up. They are always the first ones to wish me luck in any games played and are always the first to check in on me to see how well I perform. My father has been essential to my developing talents and is still here to teach me along the way.

  1. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to have dinner with? Why?

Definitely would have to be Kobe Bryant. Kobe is probably the most motivated person not only on the court but also off the court and to be able to pick his brain and learn about the traits of his work ethic would be substantial to my progress.

  1. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?

My pre-game ritual would have to be watching Naruto/Dragon Ball Z/Bleach or really any anime that I watch to get me relaxed and in an open mindset state. As well as a hot shower, followed by stretching while watching basketball mix-tapes.

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  1. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?

Meek Mill - 1942 Flows

  1. What’s your favourite social media account to follow?

House Of Highlights on Instagram

  1. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?

Definitely football. The sport itself is just amusing to watch as well as being filled with energy and high intensity.

  1. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you as an athlete?

Having to wear prescribed goggles while playing basketball. Especially when I had to put them on my forehead while shooting free throws so they wouldn't fog up.