HUMBOLDT — Golden State’s Stephen Curry is the best free-throw specialist in the history of the NBA, firing 90.56% from the stripe for his career. Humboldt’s Connor Newman could give Curry a run for his money.
Most recently on March 1 in Salina., Newman was crowned the Knights of Columbus Kansas nine-year- old free-throw shooting champion. Newman converted 23 of 25 attempts, good enough for 90%, which puts him right around the mark Curry has going for his career.
No, Curry is not Newman’s favorite NBA star. In fact, Newman’s No. 1 is Lakers star Lebron James, who if you were wondering, shoots 73.5% from the line for his career. While Newman admits James is favorite, his game resembles that of the Warriors’ sharp-shooter.
“I like to shoot it from far,” Newman said. 
With his free time, Newman fills his day with hours of playing basketball, watching basketball, or playing the newest NBA 2k on his gaming console. Newman’s mom, Kayla Newman, emphasizes that basketball is her son’s way of life.
“I mean he gets up at 5:30 in the morning and watches ESPN,” Kayla said. “You could ask him any player, and he would know the stats for them. I figure it’s a good interest to have.”
Newman heard word of the Knights of Columbus free-throw shooting competition while exiting St. Joseph’s Catholic Church one Sunday. Last year, Newman felt inclined to give the competition a try, but was too young at the time. This year as a nine-year old, he was ready to give it a try.
Newman’s first-round shoot came in Chanute, and from there, advanced to the second round in St. Paul. There, Newman completed 23 of his 25 attempts, and advanced to the regional round back in Chanute. After making 23 of his 25 attempts once more, and finishing as regional champion, Newman punched his ticket to state in Salina.
Newman highlights that he likes to shoot before his competitors. Each participant shoots all of his or her 25 shots at once.
“I like going first because I don’t have to worry about what score I’m going to beat,” Newman said. “That’s what I did at regionals in St. Paul. At Salina, there was a lot of pressure during the warmups. That was probably the time I was most scared to shoot. But when we started, and I found out I was going to go second, and after the kids missed so may, I felt like I could beat him.”
Newman’s cool, calm, and collected attitude at the free-throw line parallels his maturity for a youngster.
“Somebody said at open gym the other night that he jives well with older kids,” Kayla said. “If their is something that he really loves, he just focuses on it. At state he missed that first one, ans then made 18 in a row after that, and after he missed his 19th one, he didn’t get rattled.”
Now it is on to the next step for Newman. His score at state will be sent in to the Knights of Columbus, and if ranks high enough in his age division, the Newman will advance to the international competition in New Haven, Conn.
