Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband to be, Kris Humphries on race: 'I love who I am'
theGRIO Q&A - As divorce proceedings heat up and get downright dirty in the press, the 6-foot-nine-inch baller is now remaining mum on the topic...
Power forward Kris Humphries actually has a pretty successful career on the basketball court. He finished the NBA season with an average of more than 13 points and 11 rebounds per game for the franchise now officially known as the Brooklyn Nets. That doesn’t get you a championship ring…or even a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, in Humphries’ case. But only a handful of other players achieved those stats.
However, what he loves to do most is clearly overshadowed by his lightning-fast marriage and now bitter divorce wrapped in tabloid and online gossip wars with reality show star Kim Kardashian. Kardashian is already deep into a relationship with Kanye West, even speeding through the streets of Paris in a Lamborghini. But as divorce proceedings heat up and get downright dirty in the press, the 6-foot-nine-inch baller is now remaining mum on the topic…with a little help from his publicist.
Humphries went one-on-one with theGrio contributor Kafi Drexel at the Mohegan Sun in Montville, CT during a weekend publicity event promoting his role as spokesperson for Sector sport watches. The 72-day “Mr.” whose friends affectionately call “The Hump” opens up about where his head is now, growing up mixed race in a state where only just over 5 percent of the population is black, and trying to keep his focus on the game inside the sports arena instead of the one in the media.
theGrio: How would you compare where you are now to a year ago?
Kris Humphries: A year ago a lot of things were happening. Right now I’m in a good place.
I’m getting ready for free agency. I’m part of a great brand, Sector which I wasn’t a year ago and I’m just moving forward and enjoying life.
You had a major understatement there. “A year ago a lot of things were happening.”
Yeah.
Tell me a little bit more about Sector and how you got set up with the sport watch company.
I met the owner of Circa Jewels which represent Sector at the Bridgehampton Polo event last summer. And we just kind of hit it off. He’s a sports guy but also a very well dressed, well-spoken businessman and it all just came together naturally.
There a lot of cool people attached to the company like Veronica Webb, who is the creative director of the company. What’s it like being on the same team with a former Victoria’s Secret supermodel?
She’s been very successful in her career and she’s done a great job with Sector and it is real cool. The watches are cool.
Do you work out with them on or do you just wear them for fun?
I do everything. There are watches to work out in, for chillin’ with you in (laughs), and it is just a brand you can wear all the time and it is a nice watch. You know it is funny because I was telling someone this is the only watch I actually have because every time I’m around one of my friends wearing one I’m like “Oh you really like it. Okay take it.”
Generous man!
I end up with no watches!
Where can we usually find you relaxing?
On my boat in Minnesota.
Tell me about Minnesota. You could live anywhere you want live because you are an NBA player…
Because you are an NBA player, you have all the money in the world! (rolls his eyes sarcastically, laughs)
