BY ANGIE FENTON
Photos by Christian Watson shot at The Pepin Mansion, 1003 E. Main St. in New Albany • thepepinmansion.com
NEW ALBANY BASKETBALL STAR SHARES HIS FAVORITE MUSIC, OFF-COURT COLLEGIATE PLANS AND ADVICE FOR YOUNG FANS
THERE IS NO QUESTION about the most popular issue Extol has ever published. A year and a half later, we still get requests for the January 2017 Extol Sports edition featuring Romeo Langford. In fact, we recently shipped a couple dozen copies to a middle school coach based in Kentucky (his players love Romeo) and even dropped off a solo one to a local who asked for more but we could only part with one because we have so few in our reserves.
Yes, the New Albany graduate is revered for his prowess on the basketball court, but he’s also beloved for how he treats his fans and the way he conducts himself with humility. “He doesn’t seek the spotlight – it seeks him,” Romeo’s high school coach Jim Shannon has told the media more than once.
When the 18-year-old and his family held a public event to announce his long-awaited decision to commit to Indiana University, more than 2,500 fans and 85 credentialed members of the media packed the New Albany High School gymnasium.
“I was really surprised,” admitted Romeo’s father Tim Langford. “It wasn’t our intent to draw so many people. We just wanted to give back to the fans and let them be a part of the decision.”
Now that it’s been made and his son will soon head to Bloomington, “We’re ready,” Tim continued. “We’ve been looking forward to it (and are) excited. It’s the next chapter.”
Before he turns the next page and begins his collegiate career, Romeo sat down with us for a quick Q&A at The Pepin Mansion, where he also took the time to pose for photos with two young fans.
This issue of Extol is dedicated, in part, to kids. What advice do you have for the young fans who look up to you?
Follow your dreams. Work hard at what you want to do because there’s someone out there who wants to do what you want to (accomplish), too.
What will study at Indiana University?
Not sure. I’ll do general (studies) until I figure out what to do.
What was your favorite high school class?
Math, especially algebra.
What was your least favorite class?
Government.
How do you spend your rare moments of downtime?
Playing video games.
What’s your favorite music to listen to?
I listen to all types but my favorite is Michael.
Michael Jackson? Can you dance like him?
(Laughs.) Nah.
Not even a little bit? No moonwalk?
(Laughs and shakes head.) Nah, I can’t do that.
What’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?
“Another Part of Me.”
When is the last time you picked up the trumpet? (Note: Romeo’s Dad used to play the instrument too.)
I played at my church for the (2017) Christmas Day service.
Aside from your parents, who have been the biggest mentors to you?
(Family friend) Jonathan Jeanty, (trainer) Coach Deion Lee, (off-court trainer) Brian Fig and (trainer) Parrish Bryant.
Will you and your father continue your daily morning routine of talking on the phone before school?
(Chuckles.) Probably won’t call him at 6:50 in the morning (any more) … but I will call him.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In the NBA.
BY THE NUMBERS
3,002: Number of points Romeo Langford scored during his high school basketball career.
264 of 294: Number of votes Romeo received to be named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball.
9.9: Number of rebounds Romeo averaged during his senior year of high school, along with 35.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3 steals per game
1: Number of basketball courts named in honor of the Hoosier. Floyd County Parks and Recreation decided to dedicate Romeo Langford Basketball Court at Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park, 4400 Lewis Endres Parkway in New Albany, “in honor of (Romeo), following his historic high school basketball career at New Albany High School and positive influence off- the-court as a role model to Floyd County’s youth.”
35,800+: Number of people following Romeo (@yeahyeah_22) on Twitter
