Aaron Pettway Interview, Part 2

Yesterday, JUCO Junction published the first part of our interview with Hutchinson C.C. center Aaron Pettway. Today, we conclude the interview in this story.

JUCO Junction: You are a little bit of a different story when it comes to junior college players. A lot of people think of poor students and kids with questionable backgrounds, but you served your country in the military. What branch were you with and how long did you serve?

Aaron Pettway: I was in the Air Force for almost four years. I got out a little early to come here to Hutch. I waited until the summer after my senior year of high school.

JJ: Did you play high school basketball?

AP: No, no high school ball at all. I tried out twice and that was it.

JJ: Did you grow late?

AP: My growth spurt didn't start until the summer of my 10th grade year, just before I went into the 11th grade. I started to sprout up then. But by that point, I was already set to get into the military. So my mind was already made up. While I was in the military each year, it seemed like I got taller. My clothes were getting smaller and it seemed like I was bumping my head a lot more getting under doors.

JJ: How did you get hooked up with Hutchinson?

AP: There's a guy who runs a program in Maryland named Walter Ray. It's called EGOS, Equal Goals and Opportunities in Sports, and he gets kids that are out of schools or in school, and gets them to whatever program they need, be it prep school or junior college. He has a lot of connections. He saw me play, and he called a couple of people --Hagerstown, Monroe and Hutchinson. I took visits to all three schools. I went to Hutch and liked what I saw.

JJ: How old are you now?

AP: I'm 23.

JJ: Is that an issue for you in terms of your mindset from the typical junior college transfer?

AP:I am trying to make sure that I have something after D-I. I want to make sure that my education is set. I don't have that much time to be playing around right now. I want to make sure that I get what I need and get done with it, and make sure that my career progresses either with basketball or off the court.

JJ: People often ask me to describe your game, and I've explained you as a player who can rebound and defend but is still coming along offensively. How would critique yourself?

AP: I think my post game still needs work. I've gotten a lot better over the summer, going back to Maryland and working out a whole bunch. Right now, I would say post game, but I think I am lot better offensively but I am waiting to get the ball more and get more touches. My post game needs to be sharpened up better.

JJ: Is Florida still involved with you? I know they signed a pair of high school post players in Joakim Noah and Al Horford.

AP: Yes, they are still involved.

JJ: Has anyone made a favorable impression?

AP: Mississippi State is still sticking out. I met them this summer, and they still have stayed on me. They made a good impression that they do want me and need me there. Florida was a favorite also but they don't have any scholarships right now. They explained that to me. They will have to wait for someone to leave to offer me a scholarship. I won't bump them off completely. That's one of the reasons I decided to sign late, to let things play out. As long as they (Florida) told me and let me know that, they didn't try to hide anything. I respect that, but it kind of bumped them down the list a bit. I like Mississippi State a lot and I am still kind of investigating everyone else to see how they feel and play.

JJ: Do you have a leader?

AP: No, I wouldn't say I have leader right now. I am too focused on our season right now.

JJ: Have you been able to handle all of the phone calls and attention that you've been getting?

AP: Yeah, the calls are not as bad as they were this summer. I was up in Maryland, and it was kind of ridiculous. Since I got out here, it was cut down a lot. I might talk to a couple of schools once a week, and a lot of them hit me on the e-mail, which is more convenient for me.