Carroll receives second AOW award
Utah Statesman: You have been selected as Athlete of the Week for the second straight week. How does it feel to achieve this honor again? Jaycee Carroll: Exciting. It’s cool to be recognized for your individual efforts. Thankfully, it went along with a couple of team wins, and that makes it a whole lot better.
US: Being the player with the most experience on the team, do you feel like you have a certain responsibility to step up and be a team leader?JC: Yeah, I feel like I have a responsibility to make sure I’m ready to play and to help my team anyway I can, whether it’s in practice or a game. I think it just kind of comes along with the experience.
US: What type of things to you do to help your teammates adapt to the style of basketball that Coach Morrill wants you to play?JC: I try to be positive in practice. I try to encourage guys rather than look for mistakes they’re making. If they have questions, I try to answer them, and hopefully any little pointer I can give them can help them out.
US: What are your expectations for this year’s team?JC: I have expectations just as high as any year here at Utah State. I think we can reach those expectations if we all make an individual commitment every day in practice to get better. I think we will have a great year.
US: We have heard about how hard you worked during the off-season. Have you seen the benefit off all that hard work so far during the first few games?JC: Yeah. I feel really confident out there playing. It comes from having a ball in my hand so much this summer and in practicing. One thing I wanted to improve on was a mid-range type of game and I am definitely seeing the benefits of that. That was one of my main goals this summer. Last year I seemed kind of one-dimensional. I would shoot 3-point shots and that seemed about it, and defenders started to figure that out, so I tried to make some adjustments.
US: Does that drive to be a more complete player come somewhat from having more responsibility as a team leader this year?JC: Yeah, that, and just wanting to improve. I don’t want to go backwards, and I don’t want to stay the same. I always want to improve. I felt that was a the biggest weakness in my game.
US: During the Northwestern State game you became the 32nd Aggie to score 1,000 points in your career. How do you feel about being on that list of Aggie greats, and did you even know you were close to reaching that mark?JC: Yeah I knew I was close. I read it in the newspaper and on the school Web site. I didn’t realize until after the game, though, when they told me. It is really cool. It is quite an accomplishment and a pretty good honor. I am very happy to be on that list of players.
US: Do you pay much attention to individual stats, or do you try to stay focused on the team?JC: Every game I go into it thinking, ‘What do I have to do to help the team?’ I try to let the game come to me and take what the game gives me. As far as individual statistics, yeah, I pay attention to them – shooting percentage and rebounds. I try to see how I can be a better player.
US: According to ESPN.com, you are ranked 14th in the nation in scoring average. How does it feel to have your name on the same list as other great collage basketball players?JC: That’s cool. It’s really flattering. It’s amazing how much information we can get nowadays. It’s really cool to be in the Top 15 in the country, and hopefully those kind of things can keep happening and good things can happen to the team.
US: Do you set any individual goals for yourself that you try to reach during the season?JC: Last year I kind of did, but this year I took a different approach. I didn’t set any goals. I want to be a better defender. I am getting better and I will get better, and hopefully it will start to show.
US: What has been the most memorable moment of your Aggie career?JC: There’s a couple. One is my first NCAA tournament game against Arizona, and the Big West Championship. Last year playing against Washington and Brandon Roy. Beating Utah by 26 my freshman year and I haven’t lost to BYU yet – those stick out in my mind.
US: What do you think about the fans at the Spectrum?JC: I haven’t seen better fans anywhere. When we are out there warming up, we just wait for them to open the doors and see some of the more loyal fans come running in. It’s such a great place to play. The fans here are as good as ever.
US: If you could play one college team this year, who would it be?JC: I would love to play the University of Wyoming. That would be a dream come true for me, to go home and play the hometown team.
US: Was there a player who you watched while growing up that you said “I want to play like him”?JC: Recently Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls is someone I really like watching. Also, I was watching Jeff Hornacek when he played for the Jazz. I used to try and mimic his game.
US: What is your favorite thing about Logan?JC: My favorite thing is the people I’ve met, whether it’s my teachers, religious leaders or just friends and students. I love going to the Spectrum. I love being in that gym, even when no one is there.
US: Other than basketball, what’s your favorite hobby?JC: Golf. I love golfing; that’s my favorite thing to do.
US: What’s your average score?JC: (Laughs) Let me think. About an 84 stroke average
US: How do you want to be remembered by people at USU and in Cache Valley?JC: I’d love to be remembered as an all around person, not just as a basketball player, but as someone that is a basketball player, a good student and a positive influence on the community. That’s how I want to be remembered, as a good, all-around descent person.-wwm@cc.usu.edu