Newcomer Q&A with Marial Akuentok
June 24, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – Following a workout during the fourth week of summer workouts, we sat down with Marial Akuentok for a quick conversation inside the Womble Practice Facility. Akuentok joined the program in January and redshirted during the run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. A 6-foot-10, 230-pound center/forward from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he played with the Canada National Team and won a bronze medal in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup last summer. Akuentok was a top 100 recruit who reclassified from the 2025 class.
What do you bring to the team on and off the court?
"I want to help bring the team together. On the court, if a teammate goes down I want to be there for them. When they do something great, I want to be there supporting them. If we're together, nothing can separate us. I think I can bring a lot of positivity to the team no matter what is going on. Team chemistry is really important to me."
What do you want to get most out of summer workouts?
"I'm working really hard right now. I've been out for a year now and it hasn't always been easy. I'm staying positive and have embraced the grind to get back to myself. My goal this summer is to get back on the court and show what I can do. I want to be stronger and more mobile. I'm really ready to get back out there with my teammates."
Favorite food?
"Alfredo pasta."
What do you want to develop the most in your game?
"My inside game. It's pretty good but I feel like good is not enough. There's always room to improve. Even if you're perfect, be beyond perfect. My defensive skills, as well. I want to be a player that our coaches know can guard 1-5 when asked to."
What do you want your teammates and coaches to say about you?
"I want them to say that I'm a guy that they can trust and like being around. A guy they want on any team their on. A guy who is a hard worker and is always competitive. Someone who accepts them for who they are and someone who makes them better too."
Top three musicians?
"Young Boy. Gunna. Rod Wave."
How do you impact winning?
"I impact winning can be through scoring. I can get buckets. Also on defense though, blocking shots and being able to contest and alter shots. I think being a good teammate impacts winning too. When someone might be down, you help them up and help them get to the next play. That's a great way to help the team mentally and is something I take pride in."
What do you think makes you unique as a person?
"My resilience. I got hurt last year and haven't played in a while, but I've never once given up or even wanted to. My head has never gone down and I've never thought it was over or there was no point in doing something. I've shown resilience and positivity throughout everything."
Favorite movie or television show?
"Rush Hour. They're funny with action. TV show would be Fresh Prince of Bellaire. I love a lot of comedy shows."
Who is the first person you'd call for advice or to share something good?
"We have great coaches here that are always here for me. They've been great for me with anything I need. I reach out all the time to Coach Mike and Coach Wright. They're here for me when I'm feeling good or bad and are always encouraging me. They keep me humble and prepared. I know they're here for me."
What standard have you set for yourself in your work ethic?
"I've set a really high standard for myself. I've seen what I can do a full strength. I have that implanted in my mind what I'm capable of at 100 percent. I tell myself all the time when I'm lifting and working out that I'm capable of anything and can fight through anything."
Who's a player you see shades of yourself in?
"I want to be as dominant as Giannis and Joel Embid. They're the best and I want to be the best. Embid has great footwork that I work on. If I can mimic parts of their game and work as hard as I can then I would be putting myself in a good position to be a great player."
What is something off the basketball court that people don't know about you?
"I'm a really open person who likes interacting with anybody. I enjoy it. I'm kind of basic off the court though. I just like to chill and play video games and hang out with the team."
What do you want to embrace the most about playing at Texas Tech?
"I want to embrace the level we're at. It's about as highly competitive as there is. It's a whole new experience for myself and my family from where I came from. I want to embrace being competitive against the best players in the world. There are a lot of players out there who would love to have my spot. I know that and come in here every day to work hard and compete. Embracing every moment is really important to me."
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