Today we would like to introduce our New Basketball Analyst/Writer Taylor Morrow. It's not his first time with NMPreps.com, he actually published our basketball content during the 2007 and 2008 season. His first article is a big one… Follow Morrow on twitter @nmpreps_hoops

This is my first article with NMPreps.com in quite some time (formerly the NMHoopsGuru). It's good to be back covering prep hoops in New Mexico, and I look forward to the continued development of prep sports in our beautiful state. I was able to catch up with a former high school teammate of mine that just so happens to be beginning his rookie year in the NBA: Alex Kirk. Alex was a prep standout at Los Alamos High School and helped lead the University of New Mexico to promised heights. He's embarking on his first year as a professional basketball with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Morrow: You have worn number #53 ever since playing middle school ball in Los Alamos. What was the inspiration behind choosing #53?

Kirk: It was because one of my favorite players that my dad coached was Phil Worland, who wore #53. He was always a good dude to me. Phil was one of the best players to come out of Los Alamos. He also perfected the ACT so that's a pretty good idol. Then after I left high school and went to UNM, another one of my favorite players was Daniel Farris, who also wore #53. He and I are arguably in the top 20, if not top 10, players in the history of New Mexico high school basketball. Since then I have done great things with the number that is rarely chosen so why change a good thing?

Morrow: What is your favorite memory of playing high school basketball in New Mexico?

Kirk: The rivalry games versus Española were pretty amazing. Definitely going down to the valley was (memorable), and I remember one game I had a triple-double with like 57 points. We didn't win many of those battles, but they were always fun. Also, just the friendships and brotherhoods that I made during these times with teammates and opponents. Lastly, having all of the college coaches come to my home and meet my friends. Having the college coaches go to games in Los Alamos was amazing; from Steve Alford, Coach Miller at the University of Arizona, to UCLA, and everybody else.

Morrow: What advice would you give to players from New Mexico with aspirations to play college and professional basketball?

Kirk: Obviously, I was really lucky to have a dad that could open the gym for me any time, but he also knew the game and made sure that I had the fundamentals down. Also, he made me earn and fight for my times, and he didn't even play me as a freshman when you were a senior. So basically any player that wants to get to where I have been has to work hard on and off the court, do all of the right things and do all of the little things. Lastly, enjoy what you are doing because if there's one thing I have learned it's if you don't love the process of getting better, you won't make through your first summer of college ball. It's crazy hard, but the rewards are amazing.

Morrow: Which school(s) did you most look forward to competing against in high school? And why?

Kirk: Obviously, Española like I said. Sold out gyms are what we all live for, but this rivalry has much more meaning because parents on each team work at LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory). I always enjoyed going up against (head coach) Joey (Trujillo) in Pojoaque and St. Pius. I also enjoyed playing against some good high school friends on other teams, like Mike Maya at Valley High and the Alford's at La Cueva.

Morrow: You opted to stay in New Mexico for college. What did you enjoy most about playing in front of your home state?

Kirk: I did and it was a tough decision, but I think it worked out great. Just being able to play my heart out and be able to see my best friends and family after every game (was enjoyable). And as crazy as it sounds, it means a little more when the state that raised you is across your chest.

Morrow: There are now four players from your UNM recruiting class that are currently on an NBA roster following the recent Philadelphia Sixers' acquisition of Drew Gordon (along with Cameron Bairstow, Tony Snell, and yourself).) Kendall Williams is also playing professionally abroad. Do you think this is the best UNM recruiting class in school history? And what separates them from others aside from being professionals?

Kirk: There have been many great players and classes at New Mexico. Most people are going to say that I'm biased, and that I'm one of the "new school" players who doesn't know my history, but I do. It's important to me. To think we won all those games while rewriting the school record books with other legit players on the floor at the same time. So, yes, I do think we are the best (UNM) class of all time. I hope Coach (Craig) Neal can duplicate that class again in the near future, but so much was unknown about that class that it was crazy how well it worked out. And, yes, that's a challenge to Coach Neal and the (UNM coaching) staff.

Morrow: This summer you went undrafted in the NBA Draft, but the Cleveland Cavaliers signed you to their squad. Andrew Wiggins was still with the Cavaliers at this time. What was it like to play alongside the most recent number 1 overall pick?

Kirk: It was a very good experience because Wiggins is not like most high draft picks. He wasn't cocky and flashy. He just wanted to work hard and enjoy the (NBA) summer league with the rest of us. He will have a great career, and I'm excited to watch what he does with all his potential.

Morrow: Shortly into the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the big news came that LeBron James would be returning to Cleveland. What was it like to balance both the mentality to prepare for each summer league game as an incoming rookie and the excitement surrounding one of the world's best players?

Kirk: Well, first off, that was crazy to hear that, and let's be honest it changed the mood for many of the coaches and management with the Cavs. However, once the games started we were all pretty focused and ready to get going. What was crazy were all of the trades that happened after (LeBron joining the Cavs). One moment you're at practice with a dude, the next they are shipped off to Sacramento or something.

Morrow: You just recently began training camp. What is it like to play with some of the NBA's best players in LeBron, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love?

Kirk: It's awesome, and I would even add names like Mike Miller, Brendan Haywood, Dion Waiters, James Jones, The Matrix (Shawn Marion), Andy (Varejao) and so on. I have already learned so much about NBA basketball from these dudes; it's really a big benefit. Certain guys are more willing to help, but everyone has helped me. Even just watching them play. This is a great situation. I am very lucky, and I'm taking advantage of my time here no matter how long it will be.

Morrow: Last and final question, what are you most looking forward to in your first NBA season?

Kirk: Just the opportunity to represent all of the people that have helped me in my life by wearing an NBA jersey, along with my continued growth as a player and learning from all these great players and coaches around me.

Writer's Note: I want to thank Alex Kirk for taking the time during a busy NBA preseason to chat with NMPreps.com. Morrow is NMPreps.com's new basketball analyst. Follow him on twitter @nmpreps_hoops