ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: MALCOLM ARMSTEAD
Mixed in the middle of the Oregon men’s basketball team’s dramatic turnaround, junior Malcolm Armstead has found comfort in his role as the Ducks’ backup point guard this season. After a nine-point, 13-assist performance against Oregon State on Saturday, the Oregon Daily Emerald caught up with Armstead at practice this week for a quick Q&A. Here’s what he had to say:
Oregon Daily Emerald: In high school, you transferred to Central Park Christian (considered the best program in the state) in Birmingham, Ala., before your junior season. Looking back, do you feel like that was the right move?
Malcolm Armstead: It was a good move because it helped me to put my life in a different perspective. Central Park, it helped me as a young man to change my life and to better my game, as well. Honestly, that’s the best decision I’ve made.
ODE: After going 32-0 your senior year, you were looking at Texas and Tennessee as your “final two” college choices. What changed between then and the time you signed with Chipola (Fla.) Community College?
MA: It was mostly like the Clearinghouse. You had to go through the Clearinghouse to get my stuff, and it was kind of like my prep school coach sent it in a little too late, and so instead of me having to sit out and be at home, I decided to go to junior college. And I knew if I got cleared, I was going to have three years to play. And I was still going to better myself because I was going to the best junior college in the country.
ODE: Growing up in Alabama, you must’ve been an Auburn or Alabama fan, right?
MA: Actually (I) wasn’t ever an Alabama basketball fan. I just go for the home team, period. Whoever hot, you know what I mean, they both from Alabama.
ODE: So who were you rooting for in the National Championship Game earlier this year?
MA: Oh come on, I was going for Oregon. You know home team’s still home team.
ODE: That being said, who’s the toughest competitor you’ve faced in the Pac-10?
MA: Last year, I would say the toughest players were Jerome Randle (of Cal) and Nic Wise (of Arizona) to play against. But every day in practice it was always hard for me because I had to guard Tajuan Porter, and he was bringing it every day. So he helped me grow as a player a lot.
ODE: Do you follow the NBA much?
MA: My favorite player to watch is LeBron James, but as far as like point guards, I like Chris Paul. I like Deron Williams a lot.
ODE: Is the NBA and your future in basketball on your mind a lot?
MA: I feel like, once you get to this level, it’s more than just playing a game. You wouldn’t be here if you wasn’t trying to get to the next level. So yeah, that’s a big piece. But if you don’t have it to make it, then you’ve got to have something to fall back on. That’s why you have the degree and stuff like that.
ODE: Who on the Oregon team has the best all-around style? I’m talking clothes, music, girls, cars, etc.
MA: Jay-R (Strowbridge) got the best car — (Chevrolet) Tahoe with like 22s on it. But when it comes to clothes, I don’t know, it depends on what you like. Joevan (Catron) dress nice; Jeremy Jacob dress nice. I’d say our whole team dresses nice.
ODE: What’s on your iPod these days?
MA: I listen to a lot of Boosie and Webbie sometimes, but before games I listen to Lil Webbie.
ODE: You’re constantly reppin’ Jordan’s. Do you have a favorite pair?
MA: Favorite pair of Jordan’s probably would be the 12s. White and black, those were the ones I liked a lot so I wore ‘em a lot last year in games early in the year.
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Athlete of the Week: Malcolm Armstead
Daily Emerald
February 21, 2011
Rachelle Hacmac
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