University of North Carolina Athletics
Brian
June 21, 1999 | Men's Basketball
February 3, 1999
By Gibson Pate
Sports Information Student Assistant
He doesn't remember when he heard it the first time. He just knows it fits. "Air" Jordan. "Magic" Johnson. These monikers command the respect of players on the hardwood. For 6'11 sophomore Brian Bersticker, the nickname "Sticky" doesn't exactly incite fear , but it suits just fine, thank you.
"I don't know, I've been called a lot of stuff," he says while flashing a mega-watt grin. "I'm not the biggest guy on the team, and I've been called all kinds of things from "Stick" to "Slim," and it kind of goes along with my name. It fits, I guess. I can't even remember how I got the name. Probably from Scott (Williams) or one of the guys on the hall last year, or maybe even before that."
Although Bersticker is not yet a superstar or starter for the Carolina team, he is an integral part of this year's young squad. He plays out his position as forward/center with drive and determination when he's on the floor. And until more chances are given on the court, Bersticker says he is content to give his all in practice and help out his teammates in any way he can.
"I know with this team I'm not one of those impact players," he says. "But my job is in practice, so practice is when I go out there and give everything I can. My situation now is that none of our big men, our post players, are older than me except Addie (Okulaja), and Addie plays the majority of his time as the three man. I know that if I work hard, I could see myself getting more playing time. I'm content with where I am for now but I'm working hard," he says.
Although Bersticker says his main role is in practice, the Virginia Beach native has been a good contributor off the bench for the past two seasons. As a freshman he played in 19 games, totaling 49 points for the Tar Heels. Against Bethune-Cookman, the David Robinson admirer scored a career-high 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Despite limited playing time, he managed to block 12 shots, averaging a blocked shot every 7.3 minutes of action. That average led last year's team. And in the first round of last year's ACC Tournament, Bersticker scored seven points in the win over arch-rival N.C. State.
But last year's team was a storied squad of veteran experience. The Heels have worked hard to replace the voids left by the departures of Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Shammond Williams and Makhtar Ndiaye. Bersticker's hard work in practice has certainly paid off this year. He now sees more time on the floor and had already matched his total points and rebounds from last season.
In his first 23 games this season he had scored 63 points and was 11-14 >from the all-important free-throw line. He also had the third highest number of blocks on the team with 21. And when he's waiting his turn to play, Bersticker helps the team out with his support and spirit.
"Well, there's this certain group, Scott (Williams), myself, Michael (Brooker)," he says laughing. "Ronald (Curry) is starting to come around and get in the action on the bench a little bit more. We just try to keep the game interesting to us and we've always accepted our roles. I think all of us are just happy to be there, and we try to excite the team by what we do on the bench. We get crazy on the bench and I think that goes onto the floor."
More playing time isn't the only thing Bersticker's gained this year. He's also put on some much-desired weight. Listed at 6-11 and 205 pounds entering the season, the frontcourt player has added weight to his lanky frame and wants to add about 20 more pounds. So if you want to take him to dinner, you better think twice. The boy can eat.
"I'll eat two entrees, a salad, appetizer and dessert," he says. "Ideally, I'd like to get about 250 before I leave. Right now I'm at 225 up and down depending. I try to eat 4-5 meals a day and try to snack on little things the rest of the day." Ironically enough, Bersticker's older sister is in culinary school in Norfolk, Virginia, and his oldest sister married a chef.
Bersticker says his first basketball memory was in San Diego at the age of eight. "I remember wearing a bright yellow T-shirt jersey playing in rec league. We used to practice at the coach's house on an outside basket," he says.
Bright yellow has now been traded in for baby blue, but "Sticky's" philosophy of the game remains the same.
"You just have to give it all you can," he says. "I think a lot of guys take the game too seriously. It's a game to me. I don't play because, oh, he's a Carolina basketball player and all this and that. I play because I like the competition. It motivates me."
