Bulls' 2015 Draft Pick Bobby Portis of Arkansas Reflects on Prospects, Christian Faith: ‘I Talked To God a Lot’

By Isaiah Narciso
2015 NBA Draftee Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis of Arkansas is one of 60 players participating in this year's NBA Draft. He elaborated on his Christian faith in a press conference before the event.

In a video exclusively obtained by the Gospel Herald, Portis elaborated on both his NBA prospects and his Christian faith. He was first asked by a reporter off-camera which NBA players he was looking forward to playing with in the season.

"Probably Tim Duncan," Portis quipped. "I like Tim Duncan's game. I feel like that I could learn a lot from him by playing against him."

The reporter then asked him how Portis would feel once an NBA team announced his name for the first time in a game.

"I think I feel the same way how I feel from every college game," Portis said. "Every college game they call my name, I have the jitters. I'm ready to play. I feel like I got those same jitters."

The reporter's last question focused on how his life changed since his last college game back in Arkansas.

"My life has changed tremendously," Portis said. "It's been a total 360 [degree turn]. I worked hard to get to this moment, and I'm grateful for it."

Portis gave credit to God for blessing him with the opportunity to participate in this year's NBA Draft. The reporter asked him if he felt any different now that he's become a professional basketball player.

"The one biggest thing is the travel," Portis said. "That's the biggest change in my life is me always having to be on the go since college and moving around to different cities."

A second reporter, this time on camera, asked Portis on what he thought of the Sacramento Kings and what he would bring there if he was given the opportunity to prove himself there.

"The one thing I know out there, I really haven't seen their ways yet, so I'm not going to lie," Portis said, adding that his friend seems to work well with the Kings assistant coach Corliss Williamson.

The reporter then asked him what he would bring to the team.

"They're going to guide us and work as hard as we can," Portis said of the Kings. "They want us to be the best basketball players we could possibly be."

A third reporter off-camera asked Portis on how his faith in God helped him in his journey to the NBA Draft.

"I feel like that it does speak to my journey a lot," Portis said of his Christian faith. "I talked to God a lot since I was a young child. I followed the path that He lays, and He has blessed me tremendously and helped me get here. I feel like anything that I ask from Him, He gives it to me in some way."

However, Portis acknowledged that God answers prayers in His own time.

"Sometimes He might make me wait a few years for it, but it comes eventually," Portis wrote.

A separate reporter asked him if he has talked to the Toronto Raptors.

"No sir, I haven't," Portis quipped.

Another reporter observed that Portis carried a certain attitude on the basketball court that has served him well as an asset. He wondered how Portis gets fired up before game time.

"I just use my past motivations to try to inspire me to be an angry guy on the court," Portis said. "If you play basketball, you can't be a nice guy out there. You have to deal with some fire on there."

For the final question, Portis was asked what exercise routine worked best for him.

"I do my best in every workout I've [ever] did," Portis said. "I've had a great workout. I've had 11 workouts in total, and I did my best in all 11."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo