Athlete of the Week: Deaunte Fleming, Fairmont High School

Name: Deaunte Fleming

School: Fairmont

Grade: Finished junior year

Age: 17

Sports: Baseball

Claim to fame/honors: Played second base and third base for Greater Western Ohio Conference Central champions; member of DECA marketing club; plays this summer for the Dayton Dodgers

Bet you didn’t know … I collect baseball cards

Words you live by: Every day is a blessing, never take it for granted

Toughest opponent: Jake Bourke, a very good pitcher from Springboro

Biggest influence: My grandpa, Phil Fleming; he’s helped me a lot through my life

Game-day rituals: I usually go to the locker room, put my book bag in my locker, listen to music until game time

What’s on your bedroom walls: Poster of old Yankee Stadium

When I’m bored I like to … play PS4

Favorite movie: Moneyball

Person who would play you in a movie: Kevin Hart

Favorite TV show: Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Favorite musical artist: Drake

Favorite book: The Great Gatsby

I can’t live without: My phone

I can live without: TV

Favorite home-cooked meal: Spaghetti

Favorite restaurant: Red Robin

Favorite smell: Apple cinnamon candles

Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Vegetable you won’t eat: Celery

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Robinson Cano

Whose mind would you like to read? LeBron James

Place where you’d love to travel? Dominican Republic

Talent you’d like to have? Be good at basketball

Favorite school subject: English

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter

Favorite team: New York Yankees

Favorite Olympic sport: Wrestling

Something in the world I’d like to change: Poverty

Favorite sports moment: All the walk-off wins Fairmont had; we had probably five or six this year

Favorite junk food: Sugar cookies

Best thing about baseball: You can fail numerous times and still be one of the best players

In 10 years, I hope to be … finishing college and getting on with my life

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete’s name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.

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