When Duck men’s basketball center Brian Helquist was a baby, his mother would sing him to sleep with the Gene Vincent song “Be Bop Lula,” leading to a nickname that has followed him since childhood.
“I’m a momma’s boy,” he admitted, flexing the “Bebop” tattoo on the inside of his right bicep.
Helquist has been described as a dog person, a Simpsons fan, a beach lover and a single man. And while he lives for the game and towers above most on the team, Helquist said sunny blue skies, close friends and his mother’s lasagna are the things that make his heart smile.
“I love the sun and the surf,” he said, reminiscing about his Florida upbringing. “It’s relaxing.”
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Fla., Helquist attended University Christian High School before he started his college career at Louisiana State University on athletic scholarship. After a year at LSU, Helquist transferred to Florida Community College in Jacksonville for two years before arriving at the University in fall 2001.
As a psychology major, 23-year-old Helquist said he has always been interested in why people behave in certain ways. Working hard to finish his 400-level course requirements, Helquist said his favorite class winter term has been sign language, which does not surprise his mother, Ann, in the least.

“He’s interested in any situation where people are overcoming challenges,” she said.
Ann, an art teacher at a Christian school, and her husband, Steve, an unemployment insurance specialist, currently reside in Jacksonville and miss their son most around the holidays. Raised in a religious home, Helquist — an Episcopalian — said Christmas is his favorite holiday because he is able to celebrate with his three brothers and six nieces and nephews.
Helquist did not see his family between September 2001 and June 2002. Assuming his second year at the University would be the same, his family held a Christmas/Thanksgiving party for him before he left for school in September 2002.
“It’s pretty difficult for us when he is away for so long,” Ann said.
In his younger years, Helquist went with the flow and stood on his own two feet, she said. Having been very sociable since birth, Helquist still stands tall — at six feet nine inches — and remains easy-going, she added.
Close friend Rob Simmons sees that side of Helquist on a regular basis.
“We hang out every single day,” the 26-year-old said.
Simmons met Helquist through a mutual friend a year ago and has considered him a good buddy ever since. When they are not at Taylor’s kicking back with a brew or being couch potatoes and playing Grand Theft Auto, Simmons said Helquist is all about the team and does not always have time to enjoy the game with friends.
“We don’t really hoop when he’s in season,” he said. “We just kick it every night on the daily.”
Looking forward to a lifelong camaraderie, Simmons said Helquist brings genuine, kind-hearted energy to the friendship.
“It doesn’t really matter who I hang out with as long as they are honest, good-hearted people,” Helquist said. “That’s all that matters.”
After studying at the college level for five years, Helquist said he’s eager to graduate in June and added that he hopes to play at “the next level” one day.
“I’m ready to move on,” Helquist said.
He’s nobody’s baby now.