A Q&A with the host of What More Can I Say? and E-T Sports Talk
We caught up with Demarcus Gillespie this week to dig a little deeper into his influences, in both Indianola and on the national stage.
Be sure to catch all the latest analysis and sports coverage on The E-T’s website.
The E-T: What were some of the things that influenced you growing up in Indianola when it comes to sports?
Demarcus: I grew up on the corner of B.B. King and Roosevelt with the B.B. King Park a skip and a hop away.
My brothers and sister and I always ran to the park, every season, any weather, every day growing up to play basketball.
The competitive spirit, and toughness I would encounter would be a great complement to my skill as it made me tougher and better competing against older guys and my peers. City League basketball was a great influence as it provided a second round of basketball after the middle school and high school seasons were over.
It brought joy to the game competing with friends. Indianola, Moorhead, Inverness and the entire Sunflower County and Mississippi is full of talented athletes, I’m just proud to have experienced it.
The E-T: Talk a little bit about your playing days at Gentry and in college. What are some advantages a former player has when giving sports analysis?
Demarcus: A lot of people do not know this, but I didn’t start playing sports until I was in fifth grade, and I wasn’t good at all.
By the time I made eighth grade I blossomed into one of the best my age.
Unfortunately after making the middle school team circumstances led to me giving my spot to someone else. Coaches Liddell and Wilson still let me participate and practice and also learn more about the game mentally.
I kept playing and throughout junior high and senior year of high school I played and even though I feel like a lot of talent was overlooked, it gave me perspective. I didn’t complain, I decided to take it upon myself to attend camps and showcases for players.
And by senior year I was ranked as high as the 13th best senior in the state. I passed on playing junior college and decided to attend university at Southern Miss because I knew my end game wasn’t playing.
It was much, much more.
When I got to Southern Miss I gained the best mentorship and guidance from a coach and professor named Chris Croft.
He became an instant impact in my journey through college as much as Michael Wilson was throughout my time in Indianola by allowing me to join the team as a manager and student assistant, letting me run scout team and even help break down film, in which all of these things gave me direction, a family environment, and life lessons I take with me every day.
He’s even an integral part of my life now as a mentor as he’s helped me with opportunities to have great internships while on campus with the athletic department as a sports marketing intern and working at the recreational center on campus.
By actually playing and being behind the scenes I now understand the process of student athletes, coaching and development, which are all key when producing analysis on the actual game play.
The E-T: What made you decide to start a sports talk show?
Demarcus: Growing up my dream was to always be on ESPN.
It was the premier sports channel on TV and I was always keen and fluent in my takes on games and players and noticed how fun it was to be right and how competitive it was to debate with others about games and be right.
Competitiveness was a huge part but also was passion and joy. Instead of waiting on a phone call or offer I decided to use my creativeness, personality and resources that I’ve gained over the years to expose athletes and sports in Mississippi, the Delta more specifically. Interviews, and talent finding are just as impactful and important as the show as I take pride in everything I do.
The E-T: If you could, talk a little bit about your past. You've mentioned before how you were adopted. What did your childhood and upbringing do to influence you to go to college and to start your own business?
Demarcus: I was born into foster care out of Greenwood.
After the passing of my first foster parent I moved to Kilmichael with my brother, and we stayed there for about a year. We moved here to Indianola mid second grade and were instantly engaged into the community.
The love and personality of Indianola is evident. After our mom, Linda Smith-Myles adopted us we formed bonds all over the community, a huge influence for me was Ms. Karen Blumenberg. Along with my mom, Ms. Velma Lewis, and a great many other adults. I was always pushed to be more, to be great and never half do anything.
Leaders of the community and loving people such as Kuykendall Murry along with churches and organizations such as the B.B. King Museum always gave me the resources I needed.
So when I decided that I was going to go all in and start the show I put my foot on the gas and haven’t slowed down since. I know where this show can go, the impact it can have on not only the Delta or Mississippi but also the entire world.
The E-T: What gave you the idea for What More Can I Say?
Demarcus: I knew I wanted to start the show.
The name for the show stemmed from previous debates whether through social media or in a barbershop.
Trying to create a name that had a balance between interviews and the show was long and thoughtful, and what more can I say was born. What more can I say about this amazing person,
What more can I say about this segment, What more can I say after proving my point, What more can I say after giving the people what they want and need?
The E-T: How is the show different from others that are out there?
Demarcus: This show is different because it’s not just about entertainment.
I aim to inform as well as entertain.
Giving a sports history segment because people get lost in the moment and sometimes have to be reminded of the athletes and people that came before them.
A sports lifestyle and entertainment section showing how films and art all are influenced by and influence sports. A sports business section because people should know the depth of how athletes make their money, spend it and convert it because a lot of thoughts are flawed by looking at just the numbers.
The E-T: Who is someone you would really like to interview on the national stage? Why?
Demarcus: Kobe Bryant would have been the answer here but due to his passing, God rest his soul, that opportunity won’t come.
I do have four people whom I really would love to interview though. On the sports side I’d love to interview LeBron James, Deion Sanders and Serena and Venus Williams. On the media side I would love to pick the brains and hear stories from Scott Van Pelt and Stephen A. Smith. All of these people are hard-working, have great personalities and also have been in their industries so long that they should have the most interesting stories.
The E-T: Who are your biggest sports heroes? Why?
Demarcus: Deion Sanders, Randy Moss, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Allen Iverson, Steph Curry, and Floyd Mayweather.
All of these guys have been doubted and persevered to become game changers and legends. Deion is a multi sport legend.
Randy and AI both overcame jail. Kobe was ridiculed most of his career. LeBron came from nothing. Serena dominated tennis as a young black lady while dealing with negativity. Steph influenced and changed the game of basketball after being doubted over and over again.
And Floyd learned how to leverage himself to become the richest athlete in a sport that doesn’t dominate capital. All of these people are game changers and legends.
The E-T: What are some ways you shine a light on your hometown through your work?
Demarcus: By always shouting out where I’m from. I feel that’s important to me. I’ll never forget where I come from and how. My journey is what motivates and influences me. The people of Indianola, MS Delta and state give me something to continue to fight for and push to be great because there isn’t a light on us. It’s my duty to use my life to bring it here and keep it going with my legacy and work.
The E-T: What is one thing about you that most people do not know?
Demarcus: I was born the same day as Kobe Bryant to go along with our similarities. I have been in two films, “BB King: on the road” which is on HULU. And, I love bread bakery, cakes, muffins, cornbread, pancakes, waffles, etc.
