AUDIO: Halftime Interview vs. Washington (Nov. 18, 2018)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Tahj Eaddy is a second-year Santa Clara men's basketball player who sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Eaddy, a 6-foot-1 guard, spent his freshman year at Southeast Missouri where he played in 30 of the team's 33 games. That season, he led the team in free-throw percentage (92.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0-to-1).
Q: When did you begin playing basketball? Did you play other sports? Was that your favorite sport growing up?
A: I played my first organized game when I was 6 years old. I played flag football when I was 5 years old, and full contact when I turned 7. Football was my favorite sport because I loved having someone else give me directions on what I should do, instead of basketball, like, should I shoot it or am I shooting too much?
I switched from football to basketball because I'm from Connecticut and I didn't like playing outdoors during playoff times when it was 5 degrees. And then I was growing vertically, not gaining a lot of weight and I'm a skinny guy. I also knew basketball was the right path for me because I continued to get better at it.
Q: What are your fondest sports memories?
A: I hit a buzzer-beater in fundamental basketball when I was 7 years old, so that was my first clutch moment and that was really cool for me.
Q: Who was your basketball inspiration and why?
A: My inspiration to play basketball was my dad. He played at Norfolk State when they were Division II and now they are Division I. He was the first one who put a basketball in my hand.
Q: Are there any professional athletes you admire?
A: I admire Chris Paul and LeBron James really for their skills on the court but also because of how they are off the court. They are both staples in their communities, they just carry themselves the right way and don't get involved in any drama really, and I respect that.
VIDEO | Tahj Eaddy (@Tahj2Eazy_) his in his first year suiting up for the #SCUBroncos. The sophomore guard embraced the experience of sitting out 2017-18. Get to know Eaddy ▶️https://t.co/zg1BlPjHtI #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/VywvjyOYDm
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 20, 2018
Q: Did you have any family members who inspired you to play basketball, or helped you along the way?
A: My dad and my three brothers all played basketball. Dawon played at a junior college in Texas for two years and then started working in banking. Thomas played basketball in high school and is in the Marines now, and my younger brother, Jordan, played basketball in high school but went to school for football. So, you can see my family is all about sports.
Q: What factors went into your decision to attend Santa Clara?
A: Location was a big factor for me, I wanted to love where I was at. Academics were another key priority for me, the ball doesn't bounce forever, so having that in your back pocket definitely helps. And I wanted to go to a situation where I could play, an opportunity to get some minutes. And I love the coach, so I wanted to go to a place where I had a good rapport with him.
Q: Have you decided on a major and/or a career path once your playing career is over?
A: My current major is communication and as for my career path after basketball, I'm not sure yet, I just know I want to be involved in sports somehow. Maybe in the front office, but just something that is involved with sports.
Q: What are some activities you enjoy outside of basketball?
A: I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, I actually enjoy reading, which is weird for millennials. I like playing pool and cards with my dad and my grandma.
Q: What is something most people might not know about you?
A: I can't whistle.
Q: What was it like sitting out last year?
A: It was definitely an experience. You go through the scouts and the preparations for the game the next week and when the time comes to suit up, you can't. It was really an adjustment, especially that first game. But it really had benefits too, it allowed me to work on my body, to truly learn our team's schemes, offensively and defensively. And I could focus on teams in our conference too, like who is coming back and what not. It allowed me to look at basketball from a bird's eye view, a different aspect than I have before. And it really went fast after the first few games.
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