Freshman forward Felipe Motta is joining the Denver men's basketball team in 2021-22 following a stint with Brindisi in Italy. Motta played for the Brazilian National Team from 2017-19.
 
Q&A with Motta
Why DU?
What convinced me to come to DU was the coaching staff. The best thing for a player is getting to play for not only great coaches, but great people with good intentions and big goals. DU was the best fit for me as an athlete, as a student and as a person. I believe in the coaching staff and in my teammates, and I think that we can do something really special together.

What made you fall in love with the game of basketball?
My dad really. He used to be a pro basketball player and I was just around him all the time growing up. I used to go to all of his practices and games and I just loved being around basketball. Basketball has just always been a part of me.
 
When did you know you could play at the Division I level?
When I turned 15 I started realizing that I could do some things on the court that could translate at a high level. Some of my older friends I'd face in practice started going to college and I just realized that if they could do it I could definitely do it too.
 
What is your favorite basketball moment?
It has to be winning a gold medal for my country in the U15 South American cup. Representing my country is a feeling that can't easily be described.
 
Have any of your family members played collegiate or professional sports and what team/position did they play?
My dad played collegiate basketball at University of Montevallo and he was a forward. My mom played volleyball at University of Arkansas-Little Rock. They both went on to have successful pro careers in Italy. My grandfather also used to play basketball, he was a center and he played as a pro in Brazil and played for the Brazilian National team.
 
Growing up playing basketball, who had the most influence on the development of your game?
My dad was the one who most influenced my development for the game. He started teaching me from a very young age and he coached me until I was 13 years old. After every game we would watch film together to see what I did right and wrong and what I could've done better. He was and still is for me a great "basketball teacher".

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