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HalfKorean.com was able to catch up with Tony Akins, professional basketball player.
Born Anthony Jewell Akins on 7/3/1980 to an African American father and Korean American mother, he was the starting point guard at Georgia Tech University from 1998-2002 and is a former Georgia High School Basketball player of the year as a senior at Berkmar High in Lilburn, Georgia.
He is currently signed for a professional team in Croatia, KK Split, and has played for various European teams the past 5 years with much success.
In 2007, Tony attended the KBL (Korean Professional Basketball League) tryouts in Las Vegas to pursue an opportunity to play in the league and also to represent Korea in international play (on the national team). Although it did not work out, Tony hopes that in the future the possibility will be there for him to represent Korea in international basketball competition.
Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.
Background
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Los Angeles, California when I was about one and lived there until I was 13. I then moved to Gwinnett County in 1993. I went to Richards Middle School and then attended Berkmar High School.
Where do you currently reside?
I have a condo in Buckhead but I’m planning to move back to Gwinnett when I decide to get out of the city.
How did your parents meet?
My mother moved to Detroit when she was 18 and my father ran into her through mutual friends. At first she didn’t want to talk to him but his persistence got to her.
So neither one of your parents were in the military?
No, neither one was in the military. I’m like the only mixed Asian without military folks.
Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
No, I’m an only child; I wish I had some brothers or sisters though. I know we would have been running things.
Do you speak Korean?
Yes, I do. The crazy thing is that I was raised by my grandmother while my parents were working so my first language was Korean. I had to go to special classes when I was 5 so I could learn to speak better English. I have lost a lot now since I’ve been traveling through Europe.
Have you been to Korea recently and, if so, when was the last time that you have been there?
The last time I’ve been to Korea was when I was 6. That was back in 1986. I heard Korea is the place to be now.
Do you eat Korean food and, if so, what is your favorite?
I love Korean food. I eat it all but for some reason Kalbi-tang is my favorite. I can’t see it without having to have some.
Did you grow up around other half/mixed Koreans (or people of mixed heritage)?
No, not really; I was either with my black friends or my Korean friends. I wish I would have had some mixed kids like me to grow up with.
Did you ever experience any racism/prejudice growing up as a person of mixed heritage?
The crazy thing is that I experience it from all sides. Of course the racism from white people, but then I would get it from black people who would try me but then later on would see that I’m a real dude. But the things that broke my heart is when I was old enough to recognize the racism from my own Korean people.
Were there any identity issues while growing up that you had to deal with?
Everyday I have to think about why I feel a certain way about things and why I’m so different emotionally and mentally from my friends. But, at the same time I feel like I’m a hybrid. I got the best of both worlds.
What do you think about (or what’s your take on) this statement: People of mixed descent have the “best of both worlds”?
Haha, that’s crazy; I didn’t even read the next question. I guess I answered that.
Basketball: College & Career
How long have you been playing basketball and were you into any other sports while growing up?
I started playing baseball first when I was 5, and then picked up a basketball at 6. I didn’t play football till I was 9. I was real good at all 3. I actually played JV football and baseball in high school when I was a freshman. But, my heart was always in basketball. So, I decided to concentrate on one sport. I regret it now, but I was young.
Regarding your decision between Georgia Tech & Michigan out of high school; I’ve read that your parents seemed to lean towards to Michigan. What made you choose Georgia Tech?
I was acting spoiled and wanted to stay at home. My decision was that simple; crazy, right?
During your time at Georgia Tech, how hard was it to balance your studies and college athletics?
Wow, being a student athlete will be one the most time consuming things one will have to do. I probably had about 2 hrs of my time a day. I had class, practice, weight training, and study hall. Oh yeah I forgot about eating too.
What did you major in at Georgia Tech?
Business Management.
What was it like being a point guard at Georgia Tech (expectations, etc. due to the history of the point guards who came from Georgia Tech beforehand)?
It was a pressure cooker my first year. I had just turned 18 my fresh year. I felt like the city of Atlanta was on my shoulders to bring GT back to the tourney.
What was it like to win the college 3-Point contest your senior year in your home state of Georgia?
It was a good feeling. Didn’t really bring me anything after but it’s something I can talk about at the bar with my friends talking a lil mess.
Were you close at all to your former teammate at Georgia Tech, Jason Collier? And, how did his untimely passing affect you (in 2005)?
We weren’t best friends but we kept in touch. That happened to be my second teammate from college who died. The first was Michael Isenhour who was actually my best friend on the team. He was also my roommate and a fellow Gwinnetian (from Gwinnett). He went to Shiloh. He passed away during my senior year from leukemia (2002). I was very upset about both deaths but Michael’s hit me more at home than Jason’s did. Jason was a real good guy. Real good heart and always cared about all of us. Every summer I would see him around GT and he would invite me to come out to Lake Lanier on his boat to fish. I wish I would have taken his offer at least one time. I learned that you have to grasp what you can while you can. Nothing guaranteed tomorrow.
Have you met any other half/mixed Korean (or Asian) basketball players?
I have, but not many.
Was there any out there that we don’t know of (not already listed in prominent people)?
I can’t say that I know any.
Did you ever play against Tony Rutland (Wake Forest point guard and also half Korean)?
I actually know Tony personally. He’s a good guy. Never played against him; he was out of school when I got in school.
You’ve played with some considerable talent from college on to professional; who have you enjoyed playing basketball with most?
I enjoyed playing with Richard Jefferson from the Nets. I was with them for an NBA summer league in Boston one year. He is an unbelievable athlete and very talented.
I read an article regarding your pursuit for the KBL this year; what happened with that?
That’s another situation I don’t understand. Other countries give players citizenship with a small percentage of that countries blood in them. I am 50% Korean and if you look at me you can see that I am Korean. I went as far as to go to Las Vegas where they have a tryout for foreign players to get drafted into the KBL. I flew my mother out there with me to show them that I’m legit. They gave me the biggest run around that I’ve experienced in my life. I feel that it has a lot to do with me being half Black. I guess Korea just isn’t ready for that type of change yet. I know if they were to allow me to get my citizenship the Korean national basketball team would make the Olympic qualifications every time instead of losing to China, Japan, and every other Asian country.
In the same article, there was another Korean-American, Eric Sandrin, who was also at the KBL tryouts. I was just wondering if you had a chance to meet or play basketball with him.
That’s crazy that you said that. I met him in LV (Las Vegas). I went out there for that Korean tryout I was telling you earlier about. He is a nice guy. He’s a decent basketball player and has a brother who actually went to college in Korea and is now playing over there.
Yeah, from what I read he has played overseas and was on the Harlem Globetrotters at one point (nickname: “Shanghai”).
I noticed your name on the “All-time Roster” for the Globetrotters; how long did you play for them?
I played with the Globetrotters for one game. It was my first year out of school. In between the time I was in camp with New Jersey Nets and before I went to Russia. We played Ohio State in an early preseason exhibition. It was cool. It wasn’t the same Globetrotter team with the tricks and stuff. We just played basketball. It was a nice paycheck for one game. I had no complaints.
What’s the story (that I’ve seen online) about an altercation between your mother, Myong Akins, and Duke students/fans during a game when you were still at Georgia Tech? Was it due to heckling, etc.?
No not at all; it was a student trying to make her way through the stands and she lost her balance and fell into my mom. My mom, having that hot Korean blood, pushed her up off of her and I guess the female student grabbed my mother’s shirt or something like that. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.
Since the basketball court is known for its trash talking, etc. (from not only the players but fans, etc.), has your ethnicity ever been brought up on the court (or off)?
It did when I first moved to Gwinnett County. Back in the early 90’s the rednecks ran it out there. So I heard a lot of names and sounds; kid stuff though, nothing really serious.
What is it like to play basketball overseas in comparison to the states?
In the states players are pampered. The same way the average person is pampered in their everyday life. In Europe it’s a lil rawer; you have to work for what you get. Nice locker rooms and just the regular comfort you would expect you have to earn and demand. It won’t just be given to you. It’s a man’s world out here.
Are/were there any fears about playing basketball overseas, especially being an American citizen after 9/11?
When I first went overseas I was too young and naive to even understand the dangers that could be overseas as an American. But now that I’ve been playing in Europe for 5 years, I can honestly say that you have as much threat in the states as there is out of the states.
At this point do you think the NBA is still a possibility? I never quite understood why the NBA didn’t happen for you considering your talents and the level of competition you faced at Georgia Tech in the ACC.
I am still hoping that I can get my foot in the door. But, I figure that God has his plan for every person. There is a reason why I am doing what I’m doing. I make the best of the situations that I’m in and try to learn from each experience.
What are your future career plans and where do you want your career to lead to?
I still would love to be able to play for the Korean national team. But I’m doing real well overseas. At the end of the day I want the American dream (house, white picket fence, 2.5 kids, etc.) and also when I retire from playing I would like to go back and coach at Berkmar High School and bring back the dynasty we had.
Personal & Random
Are you married and/or any children?
No, I’m not married and I have no kids.
Do you have any hobbies or interests that you do to relax?
I’m a hard core gamer. Well I used to be. Playing overseas doesn’t let me play like I want to but I keep a console with me. Currently I have PS3 and an Xbox 360. I’m considering the Wii but it’s a lil kiddy for me right now; maybe later when they come out with some better games.
Anybody you respect/look up to (family members, friends, etc.)?
A lot when I was younger but now I’m becoming my own man and deciding for myself what is right and wrong. I was raised with a lot of respect from my parents. So I know what I feel and think is right.
In general, do you think that the Korean-American community is accepting of Koreans of mixed heritage (half/mixed Koreans)?
I think times are changing now and the community is starting to change. I can see in another 10-15 yrs that it will be looked at as normal.
Have you had any bad experiences from the KA community (and/or Asian community), being half?
I have a lot of Korean pride in me, so with that, I have always wanted to be accepted 100% from the KA community. I suppose most of the bad feeling comes from me growing up in a Korean family so I know how they really are. So when I am around other Korean people who may not know what I really am, I can understand the slick comments or the bad body language they give off to me. And, to top it off, the KBL not wanting me as a Korean; It’s not like they have a superior basketball league. I am a successful basketball player in Europe which is second to the NBA in the world.
Do you drink and/or like soju?
I love soju. My Korean friends don’t really like it but I put them on the fresh squeezed lemons inside the shot glass. It kills that taste. It’s great. Well, I can’t take all the credit; my cousins in Cali put me on that.
Either now or in the past, have you had any preferences in dating and/or general attractions?
No preferences, although the older I’m getting the more attracted I am to Korean girls. I don’t know what it is but I am.
How do you feel about other prominent half/mixed Koreans and have you met any of them?
I knew a lot growing up in LA but now really a lot in GA. Maybe I’m not in the in crowd or something.
What is your take on Korea’s reaction to Hines Ward after he was MVP of Super Bowl XL?
Yeah, I know who he is. I’m happy for him. But, I know if he didn’t win that MVP that Korea wouldn’t have made such a big deal.
Do you get on the Internet often?
I do now; I finally got my internet working over here in Croatia
How did you find out about HalfKorean.com and what did you think about HalfKorean.com when you first saw it?
I never heard of it. Like I said, I guess I’m not in the in crowd. I think it’s a great idea. We need something like this to voice our side of stories. I’m sure we all have had things happen to us or experiences that we can all identify with.
Any words that you would like to pass on to the community?
Always be true to what you feel. Others won’t know how it is to be like us. It is true we have the best of both worlds.
I want to personally thank Tony Akins for his time for this interview and hopefully we can catch back up with him in the future as well.
Interview by: David Lee Sanders
Posted: 9/17/2007
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