Class clown. Mr. Athletic. Ladies’ man.

There are many phrases to describe senior varsity basketball player Curtis Bernard. But who is he really?

“He’s the leader of the team,” junior and teammate Anthony Wimmer said. Bernard is said to be the glue that keeps the team from falling apart when times get tough.

During the game against St. Mary’s, Bernard hit three 3-pointers in a row. As the crowd roared with excitement, a sudden silence among the fans was painfully realized. 

Bernard fell to the floor with a bruised sternum after a physical battle on defense. His teammates and opponents kneeled, then clapped in respect when Bernard returned to his feet unsteadily. He was escorted into the locker room and never re-entered the game. 

The energy in the gym didn’t die down. His teammates didn’t give up. The game continued with enthusiasm.

Bernard admits he often gets the team pumped up and keeps their adrenaline going when the game gets a little flat. However, he doesn’t take full credit for the team’s success.

“Whether I’m here or not, the play as hard as they can.” He cheered for his team on the sideline and made sure they never stopped fighting.

“You know,” he said,”there are times when I crash and they pick me up. It’s a team thing.”

“He’s a humble kid,” Rathea Sreiy said. The junior plays alongside Bernard every game.

Sreiy appreciates Bernard’s skill because it makes him easier to work with.

Bernard believes he has a lot of responsibility when it comes to the team. “It’s like if I go downhill, we all go downhill.”

When Bernard was a junior, no one got to see the “skilled” player that he is. He was benched for not making grades.

He admits to slacking off last year and now he regrets it.

“I could’ve been even better this year if I had played last year,” he said. “I know basketball can take me further with grades,” Bernard said.

He would be more than happy if his entire life revolved around basketball. “If I made it to the NBA, that would be fantastic,” he said.

However, he has a backup plan that may come as a surprise. “I want to be a nurse.”

He’s accepted that he may never live out his dream, but “nursing is a pretty good career to fall back on.”

Bernard enjoys helping people and believes nursing is a perfect fitting career for him but still has a passion for basketball.

“I’m going to play until I can’t anymore,” he said. “Of course the NBA is the dream but I’m happy if I can just continue to play through college.”

“I want basketball to take me as far as possible.”