March 12, 2003

By Philomena Burbaris and Clavin DeRevere Kidsday reporters

Watching a sports game performed live is always exciting. One local team we recommend is the Stony Brook Seawolves - Stony Brook University men's basketball team. Although the Seawolves are finished playing home games for the season, today they will play in a first-round America East Championship game at Bouston University, and you can hear it on radio on Island Talk WLIE/ 540 AM. The semi-finals are Saturday. For the schedule, check Stony Brook's Web site, goseawolves.ocsn.com.

Recently, we watched the team practice and spoke with 20-year-old forward Jairus McCollum.

Q. At 6-foot-5, did you get into basketball because of your height?

A. No, actually. I liked basketball well before I started growing. When I was about 8, I began playing competitively.

Q. Are you into any other sports?

A. I played football in high school and a little baseball when I was younger. But I'm primarily a basketball player now.

Q. We read that you play six instruments. Which instruments do you play?

A. I started with flute, which I'm best at; then, I played piccolo, clarinet, trumpet and two types of saxophones.

Q. Is it difficult to play basketball and maintain a good grade average?

A. It's difficult but not impossible. There's a lot of people that do it and there's a lot of people that can't, but everyone's got to give it an honest try.

Q. How do you mentally prepare for a game?

A. I like to listen to music. I like to sleep; I enjoy sleeping. Sometimes, I shoot the ball, but I'm not a real work-out, pump-up type of guy.

Q. If you could be drafted to any pro NBA team, which would you choose?

A. Any team on the East Coast. I'm not a West Coast kind of guy. I was raised in New Jersey, so I want to stay around there.

Q. Which professional basketball team do you enjoy watching the most?

A. My favorite team to watch is the Orlando Magic.

Q. As a team leader, do you feel additional pressure?

A. There's always pressure when you play a game, and there's even more pressure when you're one of the better players on the team. Other players like to look to the best players for inspiration and leadership.