Senior guard Aziz Raji was the hero of Long Island City’s two-point shocker over Campus Magnet on December 2, scoring 24 points over the defending Queens champions in an 81-79 win. While LIC has since slumped to a 2-4 league record, Raji has been scoring over 17 points per game. The Bulldogs’ season-opening upset has a special place in his memory bank.
When did you start playing basketball?
When I was seven years old. It’s a crazy story because it has something to do with Campus Magnet. [Magnet junior guard] Sasha Clarida, me and him used to play ball. We played ball since I was 7. I played with his father’s team over the summer.
Do you follow the NBA? College basketball?
College basketball. I like UConn. I believe it [started in] seventh grade. I liked UConn since Rudy Gay and that era. [College basketball] is more real, more realistic. There’s real defense.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a player?
Play hard. Never give up. [I credit] my brother Afiz. He always motivated me, he talked to me. He’s my twin.
What’s the best moment you’ve experienced on the court?
I have to get back to you on that question. But probably the best PSAL high school moment? That would be Campus Magnet. We came in as an underdog team, and we beat them. … I know when we came back, we were down by at least 16 points. I knew that we could beat Campus Magnet.
Did you talk to Clarida before the game?
Yeah, he’s my friend. That’s my best friend. I talked to him before the game. I went to that game at York College the previous Sunday, I was talking to him. … We were talking junk. He said, ‘Oh we’re gonna smack y’all,’ blah blah blah.
What happened in the locker room after the game?
Coach talked to us, told us that that was a hell of a game, that we played hard, we came back, we played with confidence.
Are you still celebrating?
No, we’re not celebrating. We’re playing down to our competition.
Has it been disappointing to not follow that game up with a few more wins?
Yeah. It gives us confidence, and then we play the teams we’re supposed to beat, and we lose to them so bad. We think we’re better than that. I think our defense needs to step up. We have to play harder. … We need to beat the top four teams. I think should be up there with Cardozo, Forest hills, Edison, and Campus Magnet.
What do you think we can expect from Long Island City this season?
I think we could probably make a run in the Queens borough championships. I think we have a chance.
What are your plans for next year?
I don’t know. I’ve received letters from Division III schools, but I’m trying not to take them. I know I’m a Division II player.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in Queens?
Rosedale, man, that’s where I’m from! Rosedale, that’s where it is, man. I love it.
