University of North Carolina Athletics
Q & A With Joel James
October 15, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Do you feel like your game has improved over the summer?
“Definitely, I feel like night and day. The game has slowed down. I have more patience on the block. I'm not afraid of double teams. I'm not afraid of people doubling me down and things like that. I'm not afraid to put the ball on the floor, one or two dribbles to get to the paint where I want to go. I feel like my game has expanded a lot. I'm fully confident in it.”
Basketball instincts have been something that you have struggled with in college, how are you now with those heading into the season?
“Four years of playing basketball at Carolina has taught me a lot going up against pros, day in and day out, in pick-up and things like that. I think those instinctual skills are definitely caught up to my play right now so I feel good.”
What has your NCAA experience been like this summer off of the court?
“It's been pretty exciting, being involved in National SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee). It's like student government; it's student-athletes going over legislation that affects all student-athletes in the NCAA. We just try to do our best to interpret, create rules and vote on legislation that can ultimately help all student athletes.”
How did you hear about the Student Athlete Advisory Committee?
“I attended a leadership forum in Orlando this past summer and just met some people, and they thought that I would be good to have on the board. So I submitted my application and they accepted it.”
How many people applied for the position?
“I'm not sure but I'm the only representative of the ACC, so there's a lot of people in the ACC.”
Does that give you some ideas of what you may be able to do after basketball?
“Yeah. I try not to think about it because I try to focus on the moment, just playing basketball right now. I guess, at the end of the day, basketball doesn't last forever and you have to get a real job, grow up, and do real things. So yeah, it just gives me confidence right now to know I can do other things other than basketball. Honestly my passion is cooking and teaching. If I wasn't a basketball player, I'd probably be a teacher. If I wasn't a teacher, I'd probably be a chef.
What level would you want to teach at?
“Probably high school. I feel like that's when you're at a stage when you can really impact a lot of young men and ultimately guide them down the right path.”
Do you believe that you will take on a strong leadership role for this team?
“Definitely. I was always taught by my mother that because I'm so big I automatically demand attention. So having that attention is one thing, but speaking and saying the right things when it's needed is another thing. So I feel like once I have the attention of my teammates, I can gain their respect by saying the right things and doing the right things. That also may help us down the road and in helping me be a leader.”
How advantageous is it for the team to have the experience that it does have?
“It's a big thing. I think it's key because basketball is all about experience. There are so many situations that happen in a game where if you're a freshman or you haven't played for three or four years, if you're not experienced you really can get lost in the moment and you don't understand what's happening. Because we have such experienced guys, I feel like we've seen a lot of things on the court, and it'll just help us through all game situations and even in life. That's what Coach [Williams] tries to do. Coach [Williams] tries to coach us for life instead of basketball.”
How do you help Theo Pinson have a larger role on the team without a lot of experience?
“Well because we are a brotherhood, I feel like Theo [Pinson] has the opportunity to turn to any one of us to ask for any advice, tips or anything. Coach is like an encyclopedia; he knows everything and just remembers everything. I would say for Theo [Pinson], not having played that much, if he does come across trouble in a game where he just hasn't been in that situation because he hasn't played that much, he can always turn to one of us and just turn to Coach [Williams]. I feel like Coach [Williams] will never steer him in the wrong path.”
Do you like being the guy who brings the energy and sort of a nasty edge to the team?
“Yeah, I love it. We're a team full of quiet personalities on the court, and I feel like I can bring that nasty edge, that grit, that little bump. I feel like every team needs that. It sparks up the team. It sparks up the crowd. It gets everybody involved.”
