Summer Break with Austin Johnson

July 19, 2007

NORMAN, Okla.- Getting stronger and putting on weight are goals that have kept Oklahoma guard Austin Johnson motivated this off-season.

In this week's summer break interview, he described the team's chemistry and his future expectations on what this team can accomplish under second-year head coach Jeff Capel.

The junior also talked about how the newcomers might affect next year's team, and sheds light on one aspect he believes will make the 2007-08 Sooner squad a contender in the Big 12.

How are you spending your summer outside of basketball?

"Really just resting and going to the pool. We play some pool volleyball a lot at my apartment. I also have a job and am taking an online class right now."

How are you working to become a better player this off-season?

"Mainly, I am trying to throw some weight on and get stronger. Other than that, I am trying to get better at my shooting, passing and ball handling."

Talk about last season and having to adjust to playing both the point guard position and the 2 spot at different times in the season.

"It wasn't too hard for me to adjust because in high school I played the 2 guard, so I was used to it. Ever since I came to OU I started to play point guard a lot more. I adjusted to that my freshman year and a lot more last year. It wasn't too hard."

What kind of impression have the newcomers made on you so far?

"They have been great so far, actually. They have been here since June, and then Omar (Leary) and Ryan (Wright) got here a little bit later. Everyone is here working hard and lifting weights hard. Everyone is playing really well in pick-up games. Blake (Griffin) is playing really well down low and Cade (Davis) is shooting the ball well. Tony (Neysmith) is a good penetrator who can also shoot. Omar is a solid point guard and Ryan is really strong down low."

What is the most difficult aspect of a basketball season?

"I would say fatigue because once you get tired it shuts down everything else. If you are tired it is going to shut down your school work and things like that. I would say fatigue is the worst aspect of a season."

Chemistry is important to every team. How do you feel this team's chemistry is developing thus far?

"So far it has actually been better than any time I have been here. It's been a lot better off the court, too. People are just hanging out and going out together. Some of us play volleyball in the pool against some of the other kids that like to play. Sometimes we just hang out at each other's apartments. On the court, everyone is shooting and playing well together. It has been looking good this summer."

Strength coach Darby Rich said you are gaining a little weight. How are you approaching your summer workouts and what are you concentrating on physically?

"I have been coming in and trying to work as hard as I can. If you put on the weight then you can put on more muscle. I have been trying to eat a lot more. I think I have gained maybe 10 pounds so far, which I think has helped me out a lot."

What does the team need to improve on to be better than last year?

"Last year we didn't have much depth, and this year we have a lot more guys and talent. All of the guys are talented and I think that is what is going to help us a lot. When guys got tired last year we had to leave them in there. When you are trying to play tired you can't play at your best. Our depth will definitely be an advantage this year."

Are you vacationing any this summer?

"I am going on vacation later this month down to Cancun for four days. I am really looking forward to that."

What is the biggest perk of playing basketball at OU?

"You get a lot of people seeing you and knowing who you are. You get a lot of attention on and off the court."

Have you thought about your life plans after basketball?

"My major is criminal justice, so I might do something with that. I really enjoy doing what I do where I work. I put in rims and fix up old cars. I kind of want to do something like that after my basketball years are over. I like getting old-school cars and fixing them up."

What's your favorite show to watch on television?

"I like a show called "Intervention." It's a show about people who are drug addicts or gambling addicts and other kinds. It shows about two or three days of their life, and it shows their typical day and the problem they have. Then it shows the intervention where people try to get them help. It's kind of interesting to see if they go to get help, and when they get out of help if they stay out of trouble or if they go back to it."

If you could chose one NBA player to be on the team next year, who would it be?

"I like Carmelo Anthony because he is an all-around player. I would choose him because he can step out and dribble and shoot outside, or he can go down low and be powerful."

What are your expectations for this coming season?

"We kind of had a down season last year, so we need to have a lot better year and pick this program back up. We want to turn this around. We are going to have a lot of people against us saying we are going to be down again, but I think our depth is going to help turn things around. I have a feeling everything is going to come together."

Previous Summer Break Q&A's

June 21 - David Goldbold

June 29 - Longar Longar

July 11 - Taylor Griffin

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors