Q&A: Kamren James

STARKVILLE - Throughout the 2021 baseball season, HailState.com will catch up with baseball student-athletes to talk about the game, personal favorites and everything that makes them unique. This week, we catch up with second-year freshman Kamren James.

Q: What is your favorite sports movie?
KJ: The Sandlot. It is probably a cliché answer, but it is one of the first movies I remember watching growing up. It is funny, too, so I would have to go with that one.

Q: What age did you fall in love with the game?
KJ: Probably when I was seven or eight years old. Growing up watching my brother, Keegan, and cousin, Austin [Riley], I remember watching them play in the backyard and going to the fields [to watch them] every single weekend. Then, when I got to an age where I knew I could pursue this as a career, I knew baseball was what I wanted to do.

Q: Who inspired you as a young athlete?
KJ: My dad. He played football [at Mississippi State] and as an athlete he taught me, my brother and my sister the value of hard work. He is a very driven person and instilled that trait into us. Then, as a kid, coming to Dudy Noble [Field] and getting to meet Ron Polk, and growing up a State fan, that came from my dad, too.

Q: What is your go-to hype song?
KJ: Right now, anything by Future.

Q: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
KJ: Chill. I am not a huge rah-rah guy. I just come to the field and try to get my work done without making much of a scene. I am not a guy that is going to be super vocal, which I think drive Coach Lemonis crazy sometimes.

Q: What is your favorite place you have traveled to?
KJ: My grandfather's cabin in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Whenever we get a chance [to go up there] we go. Whether it is in the winter to snowboard or trout fishing in the summer, it is a great place.

Q: Is there any significance to the number you wear?
KJ: When I came here, I wanted to wear 16. That is the number my dad wore at Mississippi State, and it is the number I wore ever since I was able to pick my own number. When I got here, someone else had the number, so I went with six.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
KJ: Hopefully in a Major League Baseball uniform. That is what I have always dreamed about and for that to be where I am in five years would be a dream come true.

Q: What is your favorite Mississippi State baseball moment?
KJ: My favorite moment as a fan would be coming to watch my brother, Keegan, play Stanford in the NCAA Super Regional in 2019. It is the loudest, most crowded sporting event I have ever been to. It was electric both days and that was a pretty cool moment.

As a player, probably making my first start. [Dudy Noble Field] is a place I grew up coming to and dreaming about playing at. Then, to get to run out and start a game in the new stadium I dreamed of playing at was amazing.

Q: What is your favorite baseball stadium snack?
KJ: Funnel cakes, if they have them. No, Dippin' Dots, it's definitely Dippin' Dots.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kamren James

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