Norvel Pelle Knows Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

You transferred from Dominguez High School to the Price High School (Calif.) and had to sit out the 2009-10 year. How frustrating was it for you to not play this season?
In the beginning I was frustrated. I talked it over with my family and I told them I thought it was best if I just sit out this year and work out and next year will be my year.

Since you weren't playing in games, what did you focus on?
I focused on my conditioning and getting stronger.

Could you practice with your team and did you go to the games?
I went to the games and cheered my team on. I practiced with the team but I didn't play in any games.

Did sitting and watching the games rather than playing change anything for you?
I did look at the games more from a coaching standpoint, but it did hurt not to play and it also matured me into having patience and being humble for next year.

How anxious were you to get playing on the court
It was like the next day and I was like I need to get back on the court ASAP.

You're scraped up a little bit, tell us about how that happened.
I was over at my little brothers' (Jalen-10 and James-13) house and we were riding bikes around the neighborhood and I did a wheelie and my handle bar turned slightly and I jumped off cause I was in slippers and the next thing I knew I was on the ground and I slid a few feet and my hand (left) is cut up, my hip and my elbow (right).

Did you worry that maybe you were hurt worse than you thought and you might not be ale to play here?
I just hopped up and started laughing, I wasn't thinking of nothing until I got to the house and started looking at and then I was like "man!".

Who does your game resemble most?
A little bit of Kevin Durant and KG.

How hard was it for you to get back on the court and compete here? You been training so you're not too rusty, but did you find anything was little bit off?
My awareness and my reaction timing were just slightly off but I can work that back in. Getting back on the court here makes me just want to work even harder. Sitting out just one year gives you a lot of motivation to work even harder.

What can contribute to this team?
My rebounding, defense and scoring on the inside. Everybody here can score, so basically on the defensive end.

Do you consider yourself a shot blocker?
Yes. (Why?) Quick reactions and I look for it.

What do you like to do when you're not playing basketball?
Just hang, relax, chill with the girls, and draw. I like to draw and be around my family a lot.

Do you have a particular move, your go to play?
The spin, up and under and then dunk it.

Have you narrowed your list of colleges?
I'm still wide open. I think later this summer I'll sit down and narrow it down. But as of right now I'm still open to everybody. There's no need to rush into my senior year.

What is something most people don't know about you?
That I'm a real chill guy. I walk into the gym and look like I'm lost and then I get on the court and start playing hard.