Q&A: The men’s basketball team off the court

Basketball season starts in a few weeks for No. 5 Iowa State. With the focus shifting to the on-court activity, get to know some of the personalities on the team first.

What is your favorite restaurant in Ames?

Tamin Lipsey: “El Azteca. Growing up, that’s been sort of my spot, my family’s spot that we like to go to. Another spot is Wallaby’s. Those are sort of my two.”

Kayden Fish: “I’m more of a fast food guy, so I like McDonald’s and Wingstop. But real restaurants, I like Fuji and Boulder [Tap House].”

Milan Momcilovic: “I’m from Wisconsin, so I like Culver’s. I do like El Azteca too.”

Conrad Hawley: “When we sit down as a team, we go to Fuji a lot.”

Who is the funniest person on the team?

Lipsey: “The funniest person is probably Demarion [Watson] or Keshon [Gilbert].”

Demarion Watson: “Kayden [Fish]. Just the stuff he says.”

Momcilovic: “I would have to go Curtis Jones or Nate Heise.”

Keshon Gilbert: “Me or [Watson].”

Hawley: “[Momcilovic] is up there for me, but I’m going to go with [Watson] though. [Watson] is pretty fun.”

What are hobbies you have outside of basketball?

Lipsey: “I like to golf in the offseason. I’m not super good, but I like to get out there. I go to Veenker. I like to play video games and board games. College Football [25] came out this summer, so I’ve been playing that a ton, and then I kind of transitioned to 2K25.”

Momcilovic: “Fantasy football. It’s looking good so far. I’ve got a decent team. I just love watching football, really.”

Gilbert: “I’m into more first-person shooter games. [My favorite] used to be Fortnite, but they did too much to the game. It’s dumb now. I’m not really into sports games. I’ve never been good at them.”

Hawley: “I personally like to swim, run and play golf. But honestly, my biggest hobby is getting to sit around a fire with my friends. I could do that every day.”

Cade Kelderman: “This summer, I’ve definitely picked up on golf. Other than that, hanging out with friends, family and all that stuff.”