What’s your favorite part about Champaign-Urbana?

It’s just like home, having all the people around and having all the fans around. It’s big so you see the same people yet can get a lot of new friends.

Why did you choose to wear the #40?

I don’t know. I always had different numbers. My sophomore year I got it and it was a nice round number. I was 14 in high school for football, I wanted something to do with a 4.

If you had an X-Men-type super power what would it be?

Super strength. It would be easier to play basketball and do a lot of other things. I wouldn’t want to be too strong, just strong enough to be stronger than everybody else.

What is your favorite sound?

The “Boooo” sound that coach (Bruce) Weber makes at practice. It’s pretty funny.

What was Illinois’ recruiting pitch to you?

I wasn’t that highly recruited, so (former coach Bill) Self told me to come here before I couldn’t anymore. He said you’d lose out on your opportunity because they only had three scholarships left and like 20 people looking for those spots. He just told me that they can’t hold them, so no pitch really.

If you were on “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,” who would be your lifeline?

Jack or Nick. They are the smartest. They are the most common knowledge guys on the team.

If you could have a conversation with two people from history, who would they be?

I would talk with Larry Bird; he has a good concept on life. And Michael Jordan; everyone would say Jordan.

If you were playing And1, what would your nickname be?

I’m the only one on the team without a nickname like that. I don’t even know; that’s one of the hardest because I usually give people nicknames but can’t think of any for ourselves.

What’s your favorite movie and the last time you watched it?

The Shawshank Redemption. The last time I saw it was a month ago because it’s on TV constantly.

If you weren’t a basketball player, what would you want to be?

I would be a rock star. I think it’s cool when you go to a concert and the band comes out. It would be a huge adrenaline rush. Or I would be a skateboarder or snowboarder in the X Games.

What is your favorite non-Assembly Hall venue?

Conseco Fieldhouse where the Pacers play. Everything is cool there.

If you had to start an Illinois tradition, what would it be?

Get everybody to wear orange to sporting events or your not allowed in. It’s stupid that Paint the Hall Orange is one day and the rest people don’t care about orange.

If you could keep your body and steal a teammate’s skills, which teammate’s would you take?

I would take Deron’s skills. He is the most well rounded – dribble, jump, shoot. Deron would be ideal.

If you had big time money what problems would you run into?

I think if I had a lot of money, I would buy a lot of candy, T-shirts and clothes and a lot of stupid stuff like that. Tons of shirts and stuff I really don’t need.

If you got to be the CEO of any company which would you chose?

Nike or Best Buy. Nike is all the shoes and clothes your heart desires and Best Buy is all the electronics. Sounds ideal.