Shaq Calhoun signed with University of South Alabama men's basketball program in November, shortly after suffering a season-ending knee injury while at Iowa Western Community College. He sat out the 2014-15 season while rehabbing but will be at full strength by the start of the upcoming campaign. He spoke with USAJaguars.com about sitting out the season, how his family was the biggest influence on his life and the role assistant coach Russ Willemsen played in getting him to South Alabama.

When did you start playing basketball?
I was actually a football player. My family was big on football and basketball so I merged into a basketball and football player, but I had to make a decision on one and I picked basketball. I started playing when I was around seven.

What made you pick basketball?
I had a cracked shoulder from playing football, and I didn't want to have surgery on it, so that's what made me decide to play basketball.

Take me through your journey to get to South Alabama.
Russ have been close since high school. I originally signed with Tennessee Tech, but I eventually went to junior college. I ended up going to Iowa Western and playing one year there. I tore my ACL the second year and now I'm here.

Why did you choose South Alabama?
Russ and I already had a big connection because he recruited me to Tennessee Tech and then he came here. Schools like Arizona State and Wichita State were talking to me, but I had a better connection here and I know what this coach is about.

How difficult was it sitting out last season with an injury?
For me, being predicted to be one of the top junior college players, it was hard, especially watching my name drop down the list. I had a lot of people stand by me and tell me to focus on school because basketball will be there, just keep rehabbing and get stronger. That made me focus more on school and I got my degree. That was a positive for me.

How would you describe your playing style?
I'm athletic so I can play defense, play offense, score—I have a good all-around game. There are still some things that I have to work on, as far as getting smarter about the game and stuff like that. I study the game a lot but there's still more I can learn.

What do you consider to be the strongest part of your game?
I'd have to say shooting. I work on that a lot. I take pride in my defense too.

What did you try to accomplish during the offseason workouts?
I didn't get cleared right away, so it was hard when I first got here watching everybody playing, knowing that I'm finally at the Division I level. I've never been a person to take anything for granted because injuries do happen. That's even more motivation to go harder since my injury. That's what I try to preach to other people—you can't take anything for granted. A minor thing can take you out of something that you love. That motivates me to stay in the gym and be focused.

What part of your game are you working on the most leading up to next season?
I'm working on ball-handling right now and getting that down pat. I'm not clumsy with the ball or anything, it's just something I need to work on. I'm really just polishing everything, just so I'm on point when the season starts. I don't want to have any slip-ups or have my body feeling a certain way. I want to get everything back to normal.

What do you enjoy the most of the game of basketball?
Being able to compete against people. I love to compete, no matter what it is. If I'm in the dorm playing games, I like to compete—I hate losing. That, and being around people who love the game just like I do.

Who has had the biggest influence on your basketball life?
I'd have to say my parents, or really my family, period, from my stepdad all the way down to my little brother. They're all supportive—they know what I can do and where I can go. They've all seen the process of me playing ball. My parents came to all the games, stayed in the gym with me, supported me, spending money on traveling and new shoes, stuff like that. Basically, supporting me through it all.

What do you expect of yourself this season?
I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win, whether it's playing every minute or me sitting out. Do whatever it takes to win.

What was your relationship like with Coach Willemsen during the recruiting process?
It's hard to say. I asked him if he had ever stood by anyone this long and work so hard just to be able to coach someone, and he said not really. So that makes me feel like he really sees something in me and not, you're just a basketball player. He really knows who I am and he knows my family too. For a coach who has the option to leave a kid alone and recruit so many other kids, that's big for me. That's a reason why I committed here, because he's been with me for so long. He's really like a brother to me.

What professional player do you try to model your game after?
I look at a bunch of players that I like and I'll try to do certain things that a player does. I look at Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Bryant Westbrook.

Quick Hits
Favorite NBA team: Atlanta Hawks
Favorite college team growing up: Duke
Favorite sport other than basketball: Pro football
Favorite musical artists: I listen to everything—Future, Jason Aldean and Lil Wayne
Favorite class: Communication
Favorite movie: "Remember the Titans"
Favorite video game: Grand Theft Auto
Favorite social media: Instagram
Favorite TV show: "The First 48"

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