Basketball Spolight: Calvin Brock
Brennan Caughron
February 20, 2009
On what made the 2004-05 NCAA runner-up team so special …
“Everybody wanted to win more than the man next to him. They were good teammates to each other on and off the court. Everybody just knew where everybody was on the court. It was just crazy sometimes watching them play. It was like they were all one person. Everybody knew their role and did it real well.”
On if he sees any resemblances between this year’s team and last’s …
“I think the team play, sharing the ball. We have a lot of players that score a lot of points. Every game it will be a different person. We have a lot of weapons. We’re one of the top in assists, team assists. That’s a plus.”
On his role as the sixth man …
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“I think coming off the bench for some players is kind of hard if you don’t have a positive attitude about it. But I keep a positive attitude every time and just go at it and do what coach (Weber) asks of me.”
On origin of his “Chicago’s Finest” tattoo …
“Man, it was, like, my second tattoo. I don’t feel like I’m the best in Chicago, but I feel like maybe I’m one of the top or considered one of the top. I’m from Chicago, and I like representing my city. I got it my sophomore year.”
On his body art …
“I have five (tattoos). After this season I’m going back to get a couple more. I’m not sure what they’ll be yet. I know I’m getting one on my back and probably one on my rib.”
On Illinois’ past struggles recruiting top Chicago talent …
“I wanted to get away from home, but I didn’t want to go too far. I’m a family guy so I need to be close to my family. But not everybody is the same. I guess they want to get out of the area or whatever and go see what’s out there.”
On dichotomy of his on-the-court intensity and off-the-court shyness …
“I got better. When I was a freshman or sophomore, I had speech comm and I hated giving speeches. I would be up there shaking, nervous talking through it. I feel like with the interviews, or whatever from being a basketball player, I think that helped me a lot. But once I get comfortable around people, I act like my silly self.”
