The KirVaris Myricks Andrew MacBeath interview covered a first game in China with more than 30 points and 10 assists, the faith and coaching advice Myricks carries into his career, and why he believes staying in professional basketball is harder than getting there. The guard also spoke about growing up in Gary, Indiana, and using basketball to build young players’ confidence.

What did KirVaris Myricks say about playing basketball overseas?

KirVaris Myricks said playing overseas has shown him how differently teams can approach the same game. He particularly enjoys European basketball’s ball movement, handoffs and off-ball screens, which keep players involved rather than leaving them to watch an isolation. His professional stops have included Mexico, Sweden, Greece, Italy, China and Thailand.

From Gary to a first contract in Mexico

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Myricks played at Maryville High School before going to Oxnard College in California. He later played at the University of Los Angeles College of Divinity, where he said his team won a national championship. He placed his first professional contract in Mexico around 2021 or 2022 and has played abroad since.

Ball movement in Europe and a guard’s scoring options

For Myricks, the appeal of the European style is its constant activity: handoffs lead into pick-and-rolls, with screens away from the ball happening in between. He said China, Italy, Greece and Sweden each put their own stamp on basketball rather than playing one uniform international style.

He plays primarily in the backcourt, at the one or the two, bringing the ball up or running the wings. As a smaller guard, he said he has worked on reaching the rim, scoring in the mid-range and shooting threes so he can contribute from all three areas.

How did Coach Giannis and faith shape KirVaris Myricks’s career?

KirVaris Myricks credited Coach Giannis with making basketball fun for him again through demanding daily coaching in Sweden. He also carries advice from his college coach, Mike Miller, into games and business. Myricks described faith as central to how he plays, works and represents his brand.

Coach Giannis in Sweden and Mike Miller at college

Coach Giannis, a Greek head coach Myricks worked with in Sweden, reminded him of coaches from his early school years. Myricks appreciated that Giannis pushed everyone and would not let a player take a day off, regardless of who they were.

Before Myricks decided to play professionally, Miller spoke to him about a line from a book: “I will persist until I succeed.” Myricks took that message into his first year as a pro. He said persistence also meant not dwelling on missed shots or turnovers, and it remains useful in his business and daily life.

Faith beyond the court

Myricks said his belief in God informs his work with others and the way he approaches uncertain outcomes. He sees faith as important for an athlete or business owner because effort does not always bring an immediate result, and progress needs structure to last. Describing its place in his life, Myricks put it this way:

I would definitely say it's like the nucleus for each and every single thing I do

What is KirVaris Myricks’s routine before a basketball game?

KirVaris Myricks said he does not rely on a fixed meal or superstition before games. He tries to stay relaxed, meditates daily and talks with family and friends. His basketball preparation includes ball-handling work and form shooting; when it is time to play, he trusts that work rather than continuing to think through it.

Getting ready at home and on the road

Because he often brings the ball up, Myricks makes a point of working on his handle before a game. He also gets in form shots. On a road trip to a city he has not visited, he likes to explore before playing instead of spending the whole day in his room thinking about the matchup.

His listening habits change with his mood. Some days he chooses R&B, gospel, preachers or podcasts; on others he goes without headphones and stays engaged with coaches and teammates. He said the aim is to be present and enjoy playing once the game starts.

A day-off favorite

Asked about a food he enjoys away from his regular routine, Myricks chose cookie dough ice cream. He prefers buying a small serving from a restaurant because, he said, a larger amount would be gone that day.

What happened when KirVaris Myricks played basketball in China?

KirVaris Myricks said one of his first games in China stands out because he scored more than 30 points and recorded more than 10 assists. He valued being able to distribute the ball while shooting well. The crowd made an impression too: after some games, fans seeking pictures and autographs delayed his departure.

An early game with points and assists

Myricks had never played in China before that stretch. He recalled enjoying the chance to perform in front of a large crowd, and the early game stayed with him as a recent example of both his scoring and playmaking coming together. He did not name an opponent or an exact score.

Fans waiting after games

He said fans he encountered in China played basketball outdoors and indoors, in cold and hot weather. On some nights, it took him close to an hour to leave after a game because people were lined up for autographs and photos. He said European crowds show their own strong support, but the number of people waiting afterward was the biggest difference he noticed in China.

How does KirVaris Myricks think players can stay in professional basketball?

KirVaris Myricks said reaching the professional level is only part of the challenge; remaining there requires steady work and recovery. His practical priorities are getting shots up, lifting and resting properly. He considers recovery especially important because a player needs to feel ready to give their best in a game or practice.

That advice comes from a career that has taken him through junior college, a four-year school and professional teams abroad. He tied consistency to the lesson he learned from Miller: a missed shot or turnover cannot be allowed to define what happens next.

Faith is part of that approach for Myricks as well. He said players need to keep working even when the outcome they want is not yet visible, while making enough room for rest to perform well when the next opportunity arrives.

What did KirVaris Myricks say about Gary, Indiana, and helping young players?

KirVaris Myricks said growing up in Gary meant learning from skilled people around him rather than regularly meeting professional players. NBA performances motivated him from a distance. He now values connecting with his hometown and helping young people through basketball, confidence-building and conversations about mental health.

Neighborhood influences and NBA inspiration

Myricks described Gary as a place that could be violent and said getting through the day came first at times. He learned by watching people in his neighborhood shoot and handle the ball, then practicing their moves and adding his own variation. On television, Carmelo Anthony’s 62-point game and Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game gave him reasons to get into the gym.

He said access to players has changed with social media. It has also helped him stay connected to Gary alongside visits home. Giving back matters to him because he enjoys seeing people smile, laugh and feel at ease. Asked separately for an NBA title prediction, Myricks declined to pick a team so early in the season, pointing to the many things that have to go right to win.

Daily Braid Nation, The Daily Bread Podcast and a book

Myricks described Daily Braid Nation as a youth basketball program that trains children and builds confidence on and off the floor through basketball and mental health. He also hosts The Daily Bread Podcast and wrote Peace of Daily Bread, a book he said focuses on mental health and success. Those projects extend the ideas about persistence and supporting others that he applies to his playing career.

Who is KirVaris Myricks?

KirVaris Myricks is a professional point guard for the Tri City Tide in The Basketball League. A 2021 alumnus of the University of Los Angeles College of Divinity, he is also a Canadian professional baseball player. Alongside basketball, he works with young players and hosts The Daily Bread Podcast.

Andrew MacBeath

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