Navy men’s basketball senior Austin Inge recently chatted with PressBox about how his parents influenced his game growing up, his advice for young players considering service academies and more. The 6-foot, 187-pound guard averaged 6.0 points and 2.3 assists for the Midshipmen in 2022-23. Inge is a native of Greensboro, N.C., and graduate of Greensboro Day School.
His father, Anthony, played basketball at James Madison from 1983-1987.
PressBox: How did you become interested in basketball?
Austin Inge: My family is a basketball family. My dad actually played at James Madison University, so I guess it was fate. My mom used to have me up watching “Hardwood Classics,” watching Michael Jordan play for North Carolina. I saw that he went to North Carolina, became a UNC Tar Heels fan when I was little. Both of my parents, grandparents, just all my family members, being around the game of basketball, that’s how I was honestly just introduced, [particularly] my dad’s background and then my mom’s passion for UNC basketball.
PB: How did your parents influence your game growing up?
AI: My dad just being a guard, taught me how to see the floor. When you’re young, you don’t understand everything they’re trying to tell you, but he would always give me pointers, especially on shooting, what to see on the court [and] how to read the defense starting from a young age.
PB: Why did you choose to go to the Naval Academy? Did you have any family members who had been in the military?
AI: Both of my grandfathers were drafted during a time of war, but other than that, I have nobody in the military. I just felt like Navy was a great opportunity to do something outside of basketball. My dad told me throughout my recruiting process it’s not about the four-year plan, it’s about the 40-year plan. Use basketball and don’t let basketball use you. That really stuck with me, even to this point now.
PB: What’s your favorite memory from your time at Navy so far?
AI: I would say my freshman year, beating Georgetown. That was my first big television game and we got an upset and it was my freshman year. I was pretty involved in that game [with 16 minutes], so I would say that was at least my first favorite moment.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about the Naval Academy?
AI: I would say the beautiful campus. I feel like it’s on the water, right beside downtown Annapolis. It’s very peaceful. I’m a laid-back type of individual, and being able to go outside, walk through campus and see the beautiful trees and you look to the right and you see the beautiful water and the chapel, and then you get to see a little bit of boats, you can’t beat that.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Annapolis?
AI: I would say the culture here. It’s different from what I grew up with. It’s inspiring. Annapolis is an old, I want to say wealthier place. When I see the boats, when I see the houses on the water, it gives me something to dream for, to work toward.
PB: Who’s your best friend on the team and what’s a story that underscores your friendship?
AI: I would definitely go Tony Atkinson and [Charles] West just because my whole class, we started at the Naval Academy Preparatory School. There have been a lot of stories, parties, just going through the grind together. That’s really how we grew tight — just going through the tough moments together, it just really brought us closer together.
PB: What players did you look up to early in your college career?
AI: Damian Lillard is one of my favorite players, so I would look at his game. Rajon Rondo, I feel like he’s an excellent point guard. Being a North Carolina kid, I really looked up to Chris Paul. Those are probably the top three guys I looked up to, especially being a point guard. … Cam Davis, who was the captain of [Navy] my freshman year, was an excellent player. John Carter, we were in the same company my freshman year. He really took care of me my freshman year. And then I would say Richard Njoku. Rich, he was a dog. His attitude, the way he carried himself on and off the court, the energy he brought in practice and into the games was undefeated. Those are probably the top three guys I looked up to when I was a freshman, sophomore, even now. I talk to them for advice.
PB: What advice would you give to younger players, especially those who might be looking at going the service academy route?
AI: You’re getting the same thing [as] what you would get out of a regular four-year traditional school. You get the basketball, you get a great education. The plus side to it is that you have a job once you graduate. There’s no place in this country that will prepare you for life after college [like] the Naval Academy. Being an athlete, being a basketball player while managing schoolwork, yes, it’s not easy, but it prepares you for real life. That’s what I always tell recruits when they come.
PB: What are your goals for basketball, whenever it ends?
AI: First, it depends on what job I get, but one, just to be the best Naval Officer I can be, whether I make a career out of it or I just do five years. Just be the best officer, the best person I can be. [One of my goals] is to be financially stable. It might sound small, but in the world that we live in, it’s not easy. Last goal is to keep making my family proud. That’s what drives me every day.
PB: What service selection are you hoping to get?
AI: Hopefully I can be a Supply Officer. I got restricted line [due to] an injury I got in basketball. I’ve always been curious and involved with the supply realm within my life. Money really interests me. The business aspect has always interested me. That is the business side of the Navy.
Photo Credit: Phil Hoffmann/Navy Athletics