Antawn's Interview
Here is the third Blue Heaven interview. If you know of any questions
that should be added, feel free to e-mail them....
1996-97 Interview:
Question: Are you glad that your freshman year is over?
Answer: Yes, it was an exciting year, but I was happy to get it over
with considering the end. I also have been able to improve on some
things that I didn't have time to work on during the season.
Q: How did it feel to hit that last Maryland shot?
A: It felt good. Everytime you do something like that, it gives my
teammates and myself a lot of confidence. It pleases me to know
people remember it.
Q: What was going through your mind as you racked up 20 rebounds
against Virginia?
A: I didn't know I had 20 rebounds until the game was over. I knew I
had a lot but not a record-breaker. After that, teams started
shooting for me which helped me to improve even more.
Q: Has the fact that you had such an unexpectedly successful
freshman year put any pressure on you for this year?
A: Not really. I think teams will know who I am and what I can do.
My four other teammates on the court will prevent any pressure. I
think I can now be more of a leader.
Q: Are you going to try to break any more records this year?
A: I might try to eclipse the rebounding record again. I would love
to have 22 or 23 rebounds.
Q: Who is your favorite opponent?
A: Duke, Clemson, State, Florida State, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech.
Q: What are some things that you haven't accomplished at UNC that you
would like to?
A: I want to be part of an ACC championship team and a national
champion team; I never won anything in high school. I also want to be
here when Coach Smith breaks the all-time winning record.
Q: Is there anyone who you try to pattern your play after?
A: Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. Scottie Pippen has a total game
for a 6'8" all-around player. Rodman has rebounding and defense.
No one gives the kind of effort that he does every night.
Q: When you walk across campus, how does it make you feel when
everyone stares at you?
A: When they stare at me it is because I'm a person on TV, but I want
to be acknowledged for my hard work. I try to be a down-to-earth guy,
and I want to be a normal person. I hope people see that.
1995-96 Interview:
Question: Where were you born and raised?
Answer: Shreveport, Louisiana in 1976. I moved to Charlotte about 7 years
ago.
Q: When did you first start playing basketball?
A: I guess when I was about 3 or 4 years old.
Q: When did you become aware that you could play basketball at a college
level?
A: When I was probably in ninth grade.
Q: What is the biggest difference you have noticed between high school
and college ball?
A: College is a lot more physical.
Q: What were some of your other college offers, and how did you pick UNC?
A: NC State, Duke, UVA, Georgia Tech, South Carolina. I basically wanted
to pick a place close to home. I also have a deep respect for the
basketball and academic traditions here.
Q: As a freshman, what is it like to adjust to so many people looking up
to you?
A: I'm kid of used to it now. Playing all-star games in high school
helped me to adjust. It can be good and hard. It's hard hearing people
whisper your name behind your back on the street, for example.
Q: Being that you are from Charlotte, what kind of responses do you get
from the people who saw you play in high school and now attend UNC?
A: It's real good. More people in Charlotte know me. I'm very easy to see
and get a lot of support. It's been positive.
Q: If you could play for any NBA team, for whom would you play?
A: The Charlott Hornets because I know them and have enjoyed watching
them since they started, but I would love to just play in the NBA. My
team preference is not that important.
Q: How did your friends and family feel about your decision to stay close
to home and go to UNC?
A: They felt kind of delighted. My parents wanted so hard to get me where
I am. I think it was an important decision on my behalf.
Q: Many players, like Rodman, keep keep up with their game stats in their
head. Are you one of those players? What were you thinking as you racked
up twenty rebounds against Virginia?
A: I don't keep up with game stats because it tends to keep one's head
out of the game. I felt I was getting close but not twenty. The rebound
achivement was such an honor, even my 31 points seemed less significant
than 20 rebounds.
Q: Your speed has worked well for you at the college level. Do you think
that same success from speed would translate easily to the NBA?
A: That's far from my mind. I haven't played against most of the guys.
Right now there are a lot of quick guys out there, so I'm not saying it
will or it won't.
Q: With a player of your magnitude, many wonder why your high school team
did not go to the state tournament. Can you shed any light on that
question?
A: I guess it wasn't time for my high school to go. It was only 5 years
old. I still think a lot of building still needs to be done.