The Fresh Prince

Straight outta Compton

Tayshaun Prince is not one for the spotlight

"As I leave, believe I'm stompin', but when I come back boy...I'm coming straight outta Compton..."

Ice Cube - Straight Outta Compton

I began playing basketball when I was about 10 years of age. It was the third of many sports that I learned, however it was exactly what I needed, as the game has enabled my dreams to come true, both on the court and off. There were two things that I wanted to change in my youth...for starters, I was really short, and I'm sure it was worse in my mind, but I measured at a miniscule 5'5" my freshman year of high school. The other thing that I wrestled with was that I was really skinny, a major problem when suiting up in my JV basketball uniform. I'll never forget what Mimi Crespo said in her boricqua accent, after one of my home games..."good game Ant...DAG you're skinny!"

Everything as I knew it in my world had crash landed. Not only did she and I attend the same school, but she also lived around the corner from my house, which meant I had someone attractive to walk home everyday. Needless to say, nothing but a good friendship ever blossomed from that, so I turned the negative of my resemblance to a stick figure, into a positive by looking up to the skinny ball players of the NBA and NCAA. Naturally I emulated Eddie Jones, as he was the most electrifying and scrawny guy on the Temple Owls, and my other hero was Reggie Miller because he was just as frail as I was, and he had an awkward form on his jump shot...to say I could relate is an understatement.

I went to Temple University because of Eddie Jones, as my mother wouldn't let me apply for the school that Miller attended...UCLA. (I was 17 and still a minor) Fast forward to 2000, as I was a college junior with my sights set on the corporate world...that is after the season was over. My team went to the Elite 8 losing to the eventual champion Michigan State, but it was the play of Kentucky sophomore Tayshaun Prince that had my radar turning. His height, natural ability to score, and really good defense gave me an inkling that he would become a good to decent pro. At a lithe 6'9" (206 centimeters), he reminded me that the smallest guy on the court can not only win, but also excel.

In the midst of the recent Detroit Pistons playoff run, we had a brief minute to talk. I saw him as he just walked out of the locker room...so I asked if I could interview him on the walk to the team bus? He hesitated for a minute, and then said it was cool. He is not the most loquacious, yet when he does speak, its good to listen. The similarities between he and I didn't stop at our weight or lack thereof...he too was raised in a Christian home, doesn't like to go out much, has a college degree, and and is very close with his family.

Here is the final score on our court side conversation:

Talk about your collegiate experience playing under Tubby Smith:

"Its crazy because 4 years of college has a lot to do with being more prepared, being mature about not playing that much, when your name is called...being ready, you know those types of things. More experienced guys are going to be ready for those types of situations. For me it was a great achievement on my part for the simple fact that, I went from not playing that much throughout my whole rookie year and then being able to respond like I did, shows a lot of maturity and patience."

What stands out about last summer with Team USA?

"I just wanted to contribute in any way that I could. I know I'm a versatile guy that can play several positions and I know that intrigues them, [USA coaches] and by having me on the team...I'm a smart player that can recognize different situations, so when the summer comes, those are the things I can help the team with. Last summer I sat out that one game [with an injury] just for the simple fact that...I could have played, but we didn't want to take any risks. The guys were playing great, so I just took a game off to heal, so it wasn't a situation where I was out a really long time."

Who did you look up to when you were younger?

"I looked up to Magic you know...growing up in LA watching the Lakers. It was his versatility. He played the point guard position, directing and getting his teammates into certain spots, and I evaluated how he played. And that gave me understanding when I started to play the game. I started to realize how the game was played and it helped me to mature. I''m 6'9" and can handle the basketball, and do different things, and just watching him helped to show me my value as a player and what I can bring to a basketball team. By watching Magic and experiencing that, gave me an opportunity to see what I could do when I went out to play with my team."

Watch the video below for more on Tayshaun Prince: