A.J. Bramlett

By Allyson Turner

A 6-foot-10, 230-pound senior, A.J. Bramlett is averaging 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Arizona Wildcats. He has been the school's leading rebounder for the past two seasons, and ranks as one of the country's top big men. As a sophomore, Bramlett helped the Wildcats capture the '97 NCAA title. During the tournament that year, he elevated his game by grabbing 62 rebounds in 6 games and blocking 13 shots. Bramlett has set his sights high for this year's NCAA Tournament; he believes Arizona, currently ranked seventh in the AP poll, can go very far.

 

A.J. Bramlett toured Italy with the NIT All-Stars this past summer and was the team's leading scorer. (Allsport)

What does A.J. stand for?
Aaron Jordan.

What is one word or phrase that best describes your personality?
A quiet intensity. I'm quiet and laid back, but when it comes to playing it's a different story.

What was the craziest thing a girl did to get your attention?
After we won the national championship, they would stand in front of our cars. They were everywhere. It's not as bad as it used to be. At this one party, they mobbed us and tried to pull our clothes off -- it was crazy.

How did it feel winning the national championship in just your second season?
It was crazy. It didn't sink in until the next year. We couldn't believe it -- the way we did it. I wouldn't trade it in for anything. It was a great time for me and the team.

How difficult was it for the team without Dickerson, Bibby and Simon this season?
It was real tough early. J.T. (Jason Terry) and I would look out there and say 'Where is everybody?' Now it's more fun and the freshman are playing well. It's not as bad as it used to be.

What type of leader is Jason Terry?
He does a great job. He's a great vocal leader. He leads by example and he does everything he needs to do to help us win games.

What are your expectations for the team in the NCAA tournament?
We can go far. I don't think there's any team out there that we can't play with. We just have to make sure that we are all on the same page. J.T. and I try to instill that in everybody.

What type of music do you listen to before each game?
Tupac Shukar, mostly.

When you see players going from high school directly to the NBA, and you having played all four years at Arizona, what would you say to them about your college experience?
College is a great experience for anybody. Anybody that you ask will say that it was the best time of their life. Especially for me, winning a national championship. Some guys are ready though, just look at what Kobe Bryant is doing.

What is the best part about being a student-athlete?
There's nothing better than the campus atmosphere, that crowd. Playing in front of your home crowd and then going on the road, the games are almost always sold out. Just having the love on campus from the students.

What is the worst part?
School is tough, especially when you travel all over and then you have to write ten-page papers.

What would you say the reason is for the lack of dominant big men in college?
It's a different game today. It goes to the style of the game. Now it's a lot more running and more up tempo. You need centers to run the cuts now. The game has changed so much and that's a big part of it.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a basketball player?
I've been playing since kindergarten. When I got to high school I cut out the other sports I was playing and really concentrated on basketball.

How did it feel being the tallest kid growing up?
It wasn't bad. I liked it. I never had any problems with it. I always liked being the tallest.

Which player do you most admire in the game, past or present?
Obviously, Michael Jordan.

Which player in the NBA would you most like to model your game after?
Juwan Howard's game, even though he's a power forward. I like his game the most and I look at myself playing like him.

Who had the most influence on your game?
Probably coach Phil Johnson who is now the head coach at San Jose State. He really worked with me when he was here. Also Joseph Blair and Ben Davis really helped me along when we played together. Pete Newell last year helped me at a summer camp designed for big men. He's a great coach.

You said Martin Luther King was one person you wish you could have met. What would you say to him if you had the chance?
I would just like to listen to him, his ideas and what he had to say. Just taking in his knowledge and listening to the way he speaks. A captivating speaker and one of the greatest people ever. I would just want to have a conversation with him.

What is a perfect day?
Wake up and play a couple of games on Playstation. Then go to the park and play basketball with my friends. That is something I never get to do anymore. Barbeque for lunch at the park. Take a nap and get re-energized. Then go to the gym and shoot with Josh Pastner. Playstation again. Then go out with friends to find girls.

For each of the following sports figures what is the first word that comes to mind?