Q-and-A with Ken Payonk, Sandburg basketball

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Ken Payonk, Sandburg basketball. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 2, 2012 8:11AM

Ken Payonk, a 6-foot-7 senior forward with Sandburg basketball, is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. The Oak Forest resident is a graduate of Tinley Central Middle School and also is a member of Sandburg’s boys volleyball team.

What’s it like being an Oak Forest kid attending Sandburg?

It’s tough, especially at first not knowing anybody at school. It was a big change for me. But eventually you meet different people and make new friends.

State title game. You’re in it. What team would you most like to beat for the championship? Why?

Simeon. They’re such a good team. For us to beat them would be a huge accomplishment.

If you could have your pick, what celebrity would you choose as your prom date?

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Victoria’s Secret model; “Transformers 3”).

What’s in your iPod?

Lots of rap and hip-hop. Stuff I can’t understand the words to, but it’s good anyways.

Given the chance, what person, dead or alive, would you most like to meet? Why?

Abraham Lincoln. I had to be him for a project and dress up like him. He was really interesting to me.

Sandburg hasn’t played District 230 rival Andrew in a few years. How excited are you to play the Thunderbolts on Feb. 14?

Oh, it’s going to be a good game. I can’t wait. We should play them every year. It’s so much fun, so big of a rivalry. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.

What do you do better than anybody?

Knowing my strengths and what I need to do to contribute to other people’s strengths.

You’re on a deserted island. You can have an endless supply of one food. What would it be?

A cheese deep-dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s.

As told to Pat Disabato