Leading up to the men's basketball regular-season opener on Nov. 6, GoStanford.com will profile all 15 student-athletes on the team and learn more about their interests, experiences and goals.
In the 11th edition of our Cardinal Capsule series, we get to know redshirt junior Marcus Sheffield from Alpharetta, Georgia.
What is something people don't know about you?
I produce music. I have been doing it for a while on the computer using a keyboard. I have created a couple songs already. I want to be a recording artist.
How did you first start producing music?
I hurt my knee in sixth grade and didn't play basketball for a year. When I wasn't playing, I got into music and loved it. I just like listening to music and making it. They have started a production club here on campus and I plan to be a part of it.
Tell us about your hometown of Alpharetta.
It is a lot like Palo Alto, a really nice area. There are a lot of good athletes that play in college and play in the NBA. When we play at UNC Wilmington this year, we will play against someone from my rival high school (Devontae Cacok from Alpharetta HS).
Why did you choose Stanford?
Stanford really offers a perfect mix of high-level basketball and high-level academics. I am a science, technology and society major with a focus on innovation. I am also studying some computer science.
Tell us about your family?
My dad played basketball at Morgan State. My uncle played at Limestone and is in the Hall of Fame there. I have a little brother that plays basketball as well. We have a lot of atheletes in the family.
Was basketball your first sport?
Basketball was my first sport, but I also played soccer, football and baseball. By middle school, it was basketball and football only. I stuck with basketball because I liked it the best and the football practices were long.
What is different about you now from four years ago?
I have grown immensely. My communication skills have improved. I was quiet when I first came here and now I am a little more outgoing.
Nicknames?
Sheff is probably the most popular one. Schooly is one I got recently because my friends back home wanted to hang out, but I was at school in the summer taking classes and training. They said I was always at school.
Tell us about your summer internship at Nike after your sophomore year?
I learned a lot. I was able to take different things I learned in school and apply it to my internship. I really had a hands-on experience learning about different things in the business world. I also learned a great deal about product development.
Any significance behind you No. 14?
I was No. 10 in high school and I got hurt. When I came back, they lost my No. 10 jersey so I picked No. 14. I scored a career-high in my first game back. When they found my No. 10 jersey, I said I wanted to keep No. 14 after that game. It has been my number since.