AUBURN, Ala. – Chance Westry arrived in Auburn as a consensus top-40 player who had thrived at every stop and looked the part in Israel over the summer. He had a minor injury setback leading up to the season, but the future is still bright for the true freshman.
Favorite movie? Friday After Next
Favorite food? Candy Yams
Pre-game playlist? Gunna – Friday, Free YSL
Favorite video game? 2K (NBA 2K23)
Netflix show? Last Chance U
Major? Business
Nicknames? C-Money, C-Dub, C-West
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Westry: I pray. I take a little walk and talk to myself about where I come from and how I got here, just be thankful for the moment and cherish everything.
What is something people might not know about you?
Westry: I have a good demeanor, and I'm always positive.
When did you first start playing basketball?
Westry: When I was 3. I just remember shooting in the kitchen.
What has been your favorite basketball memory to this point?
Westry: 40 points in the state championship. I was a freshman. I was just locked in. I was just hooping. It felt like free fall out there, knowing our sets and getting right to it.
You've been all over in the last four years, making stops in California, Arizona and now Auburn. Is Pennsylvania still home?
Westry: Yes. Pennsylvania is home for me. Harrisburg. I take pride in where I'm from.
What is it about Harrisburg, PA that is special to you?
Westry: We're all one. We never forget about another. If one is on the way up, it's not like crabs in a barrel. They always support. If you're from the city, you know everyone. You've got to stick together.
What made you choose Auburn?
Westry: Just a good fit. Coach (Bruce) Pearl is a great coach. You've got great players that have come out of here. Great success. They always play together. That's what I like.
Describe Bruce Pearl in one word.
Westry: Amazing. Because on the court, he's on you. But off the court, he's so cool and outgoing, positive. On the court, though, he's on you.
What has your overall experience at Auburn been like so far?
Westry: Everyone at Auburn is wonderful. War Eagle. The support system. And we're not just a basketball school. We're an all-sports school. So, even just outside basketball, seeing people from other sports support one another – it means a lot.
You've faced some adversity this season. What have you learned about yourself?
Westry: Just keep going. You're going to have ups and downs. You can't have a great story without ups and downs. I know I'm going to have my ups and I know I'm going to have my downs, but at the end, it's going to be a great story.
How has that positive attitude you talked about helped you through this?
Westry: It's helped me a lot. It's out of my control on when I'm going to get better and how I'm coming back, but my control is supporting my teammates, supporting one another and just bringing something nice to the table. Encouraging guys, working hard and being the best teammate I can be. That's something I can control.
What's the future? What do you want your story to be here?
Westry: Just being a basketball player. I've been doing this since I was 3. Perfecting my craft, coming in here and working hard every day, and seeing where success takes me.
Who are some of your role models or people you look up to?
Westry: My biggest role model right now is Micah Parsons because he's from my city, and he's doing it big in the league. He's going to be one of the best linebackers of all time. He still goes back to the city to show love and just not forgetting where he came from. It's all about supporting where you're from and having each other's back.