Sabrina B.

Matt Kemp, last season’s runner-up for the National League MVP, recently met with Yahoo! Sports’ Graham Bensinger for an in-depth interview on topics such as his love for basketball, ex-girlfriend Rihanna & more…

How would you describe that type of attention (that comes with dating someone like Rihanna)?

“It was pretty much overwhelming. It’s not something I’m used to. I’m not used to going to a grocery store or to just somewhere simple and people following me around. It’s overwhelming.”

To most of us who cannot fathom ever attaining that kind of wealth, signing a contract like that (eight years, $160 million) what’s it like?

“It was definitely a blessing. … I’m not going to lie, I cried. Because it’s something that you dream about as a kid is taking care of your mom and your family and wanting to do good things for people. I made it. “

You apparently like when you see a woman walking by, you like looking at her feet to see what the shoes are. Why?

“I feel like you can tell a lot by a person’s shoes.”

What can you tell?

“That they know what they’re doing or they don’t know what they’re doing. I’ve always liked shoes. I peep everybody’s shoes out to see what they’re rocking.”

How was playing against Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony back in the day?

“It was unbelievable, man. We used to have so much fun doing that. When we played against Chris Bosh, I think I was a junior. All of this was my junior year, 2002. We played against Chris Bosh in St. Louis and then turned around and played Carmelo in Delaware. To see those guys now and see the position I’m in, man, it’s crazy.”

You grew up with Blake Griffin back then. What was he like?

“Well actually Blake, I knew his brother more than I knew him; me and his brother played AAU basketball together. Blake was the kid on the other side of the court shooting around, dribbling and just having fun; just shooting with himself. Now to see where he came from and where he’s at now is unbelievable.”

Do you all talk now?

“Yeah, we talk. It’s funny because athletes we’re all kind of busy and have separate schedules. I don’t like to bother him during his season and he doesn’t try to bother me during mine, but we come together a lot.”

WRITTEN BY & FULL INTERVIEW HERE