March 27, 2003
On the basketball court, junior Rickey Paulding has the hang time of Superman complete with a dizzying array of amazing dunks and graceful, acrobatic moves. Off the court, Paulding holds true to that Superman comparison possessing the demeanor of mild-mannered Clark Kent. The talented junior sat down with Tiger Courtside's Samantha Kilgore and talked about his hometown of Motown, knowing what Coach expects and what its like to be Rick in this edition of Tiger Q&A.
Q: Can you talk about what your family life was like growing up in the area and what helped you and [teammate Arthur] Dock [Johnson] get where you are now at Mizzou? A: "It was really tough. It made us stronger because there were a lot of things going on as far as crime, and a lot of our friends got caught up in that kind of stuff. My mom is the main person that got me into basketball and who made sure I stayed out of trouble. There were a lot of ways that A.J. and I could have slipped up and gotten into trouble and other things, but I think my mom and my high school coach just made sure I was always involved in basketball and other stuff, and that's how I stayed out of it and got here."
Q: You and A.J. didn't go to the same high school, but you both came here from Detroit. Now you guys are roommates and really close. How has that relationship developed? A: "A.J. and my relationship has really gotten stronger from just being around each other all time and experiencing the same things together from when we first came here as freshman. We've kind of been through a lot, and we know what coach expects. It's good to look at him and know that A.J. has been through the same stuff that I've been through."
Q: You talked about "knowing what coach expects." Can you tell me what it's been like being a part of Coach Snyder's first full recruiting class, and how your relationship with his has developed over the past three years? A: "All I can say is I was privileged to be able to come here and play for him and be a part of building a program. Coach Q [Snyder] has always talked to us and been honest about what he wants us to do and about us progressing as a player. So, my relationship with Coach Q has really grown. He's taught me about being a leader, and he told me about anything I've ever ask about."
Q: Your perimeter game has improved tremendously in the time you've been at Mizzou. To what do you attribute the improvement of your range and the development of your outside shot? A: "I think a lot of it was just getting comfortable with the offense. When I started to play here, I was kind of star-struck playing with Kareem [Rush], Clarence [Gilbert] and Brian [Grawer], so I just found my way in the offense and got a lot of shots up I practice."
<> A: "I think it's definitely helped it. It makes it easier for me to handle the ball and get it inside to A.J. He's getting more attention, and when teams double him, he does a good job of passing it out which gives me a lot of open looks and a lot of lanes to the basket."
Q: Doing a lot without the ball has become something you're known for. In what area of the game do you think you make the biggest impact besides scoring? A: "I draw a lot defensive assignments as far as guarding some tough players. I guess coach has confidence in me to be a leader on defense and get stops. My "D" [defense] is the biggest thing."
Q: How does it make you feel personally to be known as the human highlight reel, especially when it pertains to your dunking ability? A: "I feel good about it. It's like, they're watching now. As far as getting a dunk, I know it's a big energy boost for the team. I don't really look at it as a highlight or anything. It's definitely a big energy boost for us ... especially for me when I'm struggling.
Q: Is there a side of you behind the life size poster of Rickey Paulding that the fans don't see and you want them to know is there? A: "I think people's perceptions of me are that I'm quiet and reserved and serious, and I am, but there's also a side of me that likes to joke around and talk a lot to people I know. People think I'm quiet, but I am really just an easygoing person that likes to joke around."