Just how important is Kyron Cartwright to the Compton basketball team? If you ask teammate and fellow senior Isaiah Bailey, he'd tell you there isn't a point guard he'd take in place of Cartwright adding "If we didn't have him, we'd be in some trouble."
Cartwright is a smooth lefty, who just happens to be one of the top floor generals on the West Coast.
On Monday night he began what is a busy week for the Tarbabes with 15 points in a Moore League win over Long Beach Millikan in front of the Compton faithful and Max Good, his future head coach at Loyola Marymount.
The Tarbabes are considered the favorites to end Long Beach Poly's steak of four consecutive Moore League championships. Their second game in a week of three games in five nights will come against the Jackrabbits on Wednesday with Cartwright leading the way. In the meantime, here's 10 things you may not know about the future LMU Lion.
Nickname
To some, he's known as K.C, while others simply call him by his last name, Cartwright.
Hobbies
When not setting up teammates and running the Compton High School basketball team, Cartwright likes to hangout with his family, including his older brother, Bryce. Both play basketbal -- Bryce graduated from the University of Iowa. Before that, Bryce didn't go to Compton, instead opting for rival Dominguez.
"He went on the other side," Cartwright said.
Late night snack
Chicken nuggets are a go-to for Cartwright. Any chicken nugget connoisseur knows, the dipping sauce is key. For Cartwright, it's simple: "Barbeque or ranch."
Favorite team
Cartwright has been a huge fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder over the years and has not wavered.
"I liked them when they had Jeff Green and (James) Harden but I liked (Kevin) Durant since he was at Texas," he said. "Gotta stick with him."
Favorite movie
There's no debate about the Compton point guard's favorite movie. It's "Rush Hour 2" with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.
Who would play you in a movie?
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has received rave reviews for his work as "Uncle Drew." Cartwright is a fan of those performances as well. If there were to be a Kyron Cartwright story, he'd want Irving to star as him.
"He's pretty funny," Cartwright said.
Biggest fear
The senior does not like heights. Still, that doesn't stop him from riding roller coasters from time to time.
"I do (like roller coasters) but I don't like the height," he said.
Pregame ritual
It started towards the end of last season. Cartwright, along with teammates Robert Lewis, Tramelle Prickett, and Anthony Squalls grab a meal together before games.
"That's what we do," Cartwright said. "(We) have fun together."
No. 11
Cartwright originally wore No. 11 but switched to No. 25 last season as a junior. For his senior year, he's back wearing No. 11
"Great point guards wore No. 11 -- Isiah Thomas and a lot of other ones," he said.
iPod
Cartwright is a big fan of Rich Homie Quan and has his music in heavy rotation these days.
