Tashombe Riley is a new member of the University of South Alabama men's basketball program after transferring this summer from South Carolina State. In three seasons at the Orangeburg, S.C. school, Riley averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, including 11.4 points and 5.2 boards as a junior in 2016-17. He missed last year with an ankle injury, but will be at full strength for the upcoming campaign. The graduate transfer sat down with USAJaguars.com and spoke about his journey to get to South Alabama, leaving his hometown school and the biggest influence on his career.

When did you start playing basketball?
Sports was in my family, so as a young kid, I always had a basketball, a football or baseball around me. It came naturally. I was born into it. Everybody in my family played some kind of sport, so I was involved in different things, but it was mainly my mom and my cousins that got me into it. Basketball was the first thing that I picked up, so that was my passion. I could see myself going pretty far in it so that's why I stuck with it.

What was it like sitting out last season?
It was crazy, but it was a learning experience too, because I learned the game more. I traveled to every game, and sitting on the bench, the guys would come to me and ask me what I saw. It gave me a better look at the game, like moving without the ball and what to read.

What did you like about attending your hometown school?
It was love, because I already had my fan base there from high school, so I brought the crowd with me, and once we started winning games, they really supported us and more alumni started coming to the games. It was a good experience.

How difficult of a decision was it to leave?
It was a pretty hard decision, but at the same time, I had to look out for myself and think about what could get me to the next level. Why not take the chance because I had one more year?

What's your mindset going into this season, at a new school, knowing it's your last year?
It's the same as Coach Riley, I'm trying to come in, change the program around and hang a banner.

How would you assess your progress in the summer workouts?
I'm getting used to everything, but I'm picking it up pretty fast.

How would you describe your playing style?
I like to get up and down the court, get put-backs and lobs. Set plays are fine, but I like to get up and go.

What do you consider to be the strongest part of your game?
I would say my mid-range (jumper), defending, and my 3-pointers. I'm lethal from mid-range, that's my main thing. On defense, I can stop people – I take pride in that. I can hit 3s to stretch the floor.

What part of your game are you working on the most leading up to next season?
Mainly my ball-handling, getting my teammates better and my conditioning.

What do you enjoy the most of the game of basketball?
I just love the game so I enjoy getting on the court and giving it all I got.

Who has had the biggest influence on your basketball career?
My family. Where I come from, I'm big on family, so they're going to support me no matter what. It wouldn't be just one person, so I'll say my entire family. Some of my cousins are coaches, so I had people to come to the gym with me, look at film and give me different pointers. They always came to my games and supported me. They went the extra mile for me.

What do you expect of yourself this season?
Give it all I've got every time I get on the floor because I know it's my last chance as a college basketball player. Go hard every game and every practice to help turn this program around.

What professional player do you try to model your game after?
My favorite player is LeBron (James), but most people say I play like Kevin Durant because of my length and my speed. People say I shoot like Kevin Garnett. I look at LeBron and how he works out and studies the game.

Quick Hits
Favorite NBA team: I don't have one – I'm a LeBron fan
Favorite college team growing up: North Carolina Tar Heels
Favorite sport other than basketball: College football
Favorite musical artists: T.I., Migos and Lucci
Favorite class: Math
Favorite movie: "He Got Game"
Favorite video game: I don't play video games
Favorite social media: Either Instagram or Snapchat
Favorite TV show: "Tyler Perry's House of Payne"

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give

—USA—