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| Jon Brockman and the Huskies open the season Nov. 6 with an exhibition against Western Washington. |
University of Washington forward Jon Brockman enters his senior season as the nation's leading returning rebounder and is a viable candidate for All-America and National Player of the Year honors. The Snohomish, Wash. native is known for his relentless style and fearless attitude but his respect for sportsmanship and the game of basketball really helps set him apart.
Jon joined GoHuskies.com on the eve of the first day of basketball practice for a special online chat with Husky fans.
Check out this special preview of the upcoming season with Jon Brockman and GoHuskies.com and get ready for another great season of Washington Husky Basketball!
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GoHuskies.com: Thanks for all the great advance questions. Jon wil be here shortly and we'll get started with the chat! |
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GoHuskies.com: Jon is here and we are ready to go... |
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| Dawg4ever (montlake): JB, I know that it won't ever happen but it's fun to imagine. If you played football, what position do you think you'd be best at? If you played f-ball like you play hoops, I think you'd hurt a lot of people. Best wishes this season! |
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J.B.: If I played football I would most likly be a tight end or a defensive end. The thought has crossed my mind, however for now I plan on sticking with Hoops for as long as I can. |
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| Bob (Granite Falls): Why does it seem that your elbows are sharper than most other players? It seems you tend to bloody more guys noses than any other player I've seen! Good luck this season. We're rooting for you guys. |
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J.B.: I really do not have sharper elbows than anyone else. But I do play very hard. Some people think the way I play is dirty, but nothing is ever intentional. Sometimes people just get in the way. I do take my shots too. I have broken my nose 5 times. |
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| Gaithersburg,MD: How do you deal with pressure |
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J.B.: When I am on the floor I really don't feel a ton of pressure. I have my team and coaches there for me at all times so they are always there for me. This is the same on and off the court. As long as you work as hard as possible at all times then that is the best you can do. |
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| Austin: Ive been a long time huskie fan, but recently moved from the west coast. Do you think this years team will make an impression to the rest of the country?(Jackson) |
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J.B.: I think this years team has a great chance to accomplish some pretty special things. We have all the pieces that a great team needs, it will just depend on how well we come together and play as a team. Things are looking good so far and I am really excited about this group of guys. |
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| Kurt (Bellingham): How hard do you find it, especially after three years, to deal with pressures like groupies and other outside distractions, particularly on the road? |
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J.B.: The whole idea that there are tons of pressures on the road are a little blown out of proportion. We don't see a whole bunch of groupies or temptations while we are on the road. However the tempations of college life are always around us. One really has to go out and search for that in order to get wrapped up into it. Being a student athlete alot of times we are so busy there really isnt any other time in our day for extra activities. School, Basketball, Eating, and Sleep... thats about it |
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| John (Tacoma): With the Sonics out of Seattle, is there any added excitement amongst the team that you guys are the best basketball show in town??? How do you personally feel about the Sups leaving? |
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J.B.: I am very sad to see the Sonics leave Seattle, but there is alot of extra excitment that i have noticed with their absence. There is a little different buzz around the program and I think being the only show in Seattle for the winter time gives our team a great opportunity to create a stir in the Northwest. |
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| Alex (Brier): Which of your teammates would make the best President of the United States and why? Would you ever consider being their VP? Good luck this season! |
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J.B.: I would have to go with Joe Wolfinger. He has been my roomate for the last 3 years and I think if he was in office I would be his VP. We come up with some pretty awesome ideas so with us two in charge there would be only good things happening. JOE and JON 2012 |
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| Snohomish: What about this season are you most looking forward to and who on the team do you feel you have the best court chemistry with? |
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J.B.: First of all glad to see Snohomish in the house. I am really looking forward to watching this team grow. Tomorrow is the first day of practice and I love watching the changes and improvments that go on throughout a season. Ryan Appleby and I have had the best chemistry in the past so this season I would have to say Justin Dentmon. We came in as freshman together and the last 3 years have grown together as players. |
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| Tom (Lake Forest, CA): Hi Jon,
Seems hard to believe you are a senior already. Wish you had five more years of eligibility.
My question: I've heard you say good things about the frosh class. Can you say a little more about the individual strengths of each of the frosh players? What can we expect from them this year? |
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J.B.: Isaiah: Great feel for the game of basketball. Everyone has heard about his scoring but most people dont realize how great of a passer he is. Look for some big things out of Zeek, as we like to call him, this year.
Elston: With Ryan leaving last year we are going to need a shooter. This will be Elston's role and he will do a great job at it. He is a really smart basketball player. You can tell his dad is a coach because he makes great decisions.
Scott: Great athlete. Reminds me alot of Bobby Jones, his energy on the court is great. Could turn into a great defender as well.
Tyreese: This is a BIG boy. Averaged 10 blocked shots a game in high school which means he has great timing. Is a great rebounder as well. I dont go up against many guys who can push me around but if this kid gets a little stronger I will be getting pushed all of the court. It's a little scary how good this guy could be. |
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| Kurt (Bellingham): Would you consider yourself the greatest Ditch player of all time? |
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J.B.: Ditch, for all of you out there that don't know, is a twist off the game "kick the can". Me and a group of my buddies would play this all the time up in Snohomish growing up and I would have to say Kurt that yes I am the greatest ditch player of all time. After all the game was created in Snohomish |
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| Emily (Pullman): Do you think you have a chance to finally beat the cougars this year? |
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J.B.: Well Emily, I havn't beat the Cougs yet so It is a game that I am looking forward to. They have a great team and are always fun to play. I can assure you that our guys will play our hardest and leave it all on the floor. I look forward to the first and last game of t pac-10 league play this year! |
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| Nick Pickard (Seattle): What are your plans regarding the NBA? Do you plan on going into the NBA draft, or will you do what Antonio Gates did and go into football? |
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J.B.: Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine. So I hope I get that opportunity. Right now im just concentrating on making the Huskies as good as possible. I would be open to trying out a career in football as well. I guess i will just have to make that decision when i cross it. But for now im a Basketball player. |
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| Cameron (Issaquah): I am a huge dawg fan, and am tired of hearing everyone else doubt us.. im ready for us to start being an elite team again like in the old days of nate robinson. What are your expectations this season and do you think we will be an elite team again this year? |
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J.B.: We have all the pieces that an elite team needs. I think this team has alot of potential and there are some good things to come. With the speed and quickness I have seen this summer and fall the style of play will be more similar to the days when Nate was around. |
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| Sean (Irvine): Jon, I think that Breshers and Amaning could really turn into bruising, banging, intense, tough dudes in the post like you. I doubt they'll be up to your level of hustle and toughness, but I think they can work their way up. Are you taking them under your wing to become the next bruising, rebounding, banging machines? Constantly practicing and playing against you can only help those guys in the future, especially Breshers who just looks like a banger. Make sure to groom them to hustle and give 100% effort at all times just like you do. Go Huskies! |
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J.B.: Those two have alot of potential. The sky is the limit for them in regards to how good they really want to be. I plan on showing them the way as much as possible. I look forward to having both of them down in the trenches with me bruising people up. |
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| David Bosse Everett,WA: During your high pressure days of college basketball, do you sometimes miss those great fun years of playing high school basketball at Snohomish high? |
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J.B.: I do miss the high school days for some reasons, but for the most part I love being in College. College baskteball at the University of Washington is so much fun I cant imagine playing anywhere else. Snohomish is a great place but I am really enjoying where I'm at now. |
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| Jo (San Diego): With this being your last season in college, I'm sure that the NBA is on your mind. How do you keep focused on winning at UW without being distracted with NBA thoughts? |
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J.B.: I think that everything happens for a reason and If the NBA was meant to be then it will work out. All my focus at the present time is on Husky Basketball. As well as graduating this spring. I told my mom I would get it done in 4 years and I am sticking to my word. |
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| Rick (Springfield): I've noticed that over the last several years you have gone through several fashion phases: Black socks, shaved head, flat top, face mask, etc. Do you have any new earth shattering fasion statements that are going to blow the croud away on opening day? |
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J.B.: I don't have anything planned for this year I usually just go with how I feel at that time. Now that you mention it I will start thinking about it and come up with something. |
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| Kirsten (Snoho): Jon Jon, Out of all the PAC-10 teams, which one are you most looking forward to beating this year? |
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J.B.: Kirsty Bug, I would have to say I am most excited about playing WSU, UCLA, and ASU. I think those will be really good games which will come right down to the wire. They will have a March Madness type feel to them. |
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| Stephanie (Portland OR): Hi Jon, I heard your favorite movie was Free Willy. Is that true?? |
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J.B.: Willy |
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| Bellevue, WA: What types of things did you do this off season to improve your game for your senior season? |
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J.B.: I get alot of shots up in the offseason. First of all I give my body some time to rest and make sure I am fully healthy. This usually takes a week of two. As soon as I feel good I hit the weights really hard to increase my strength and flexability. As well as do alot of individual workouts. Shooting jump shots, post moves, FREE THROWS, dribbling, and passing. The off season is when you get better. The season is when you get a chance to show off all your new skills. |
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J.B.: Well I have to go and get ready for a work out. I appreciate all of you taking the time to ask me your questions. Go DAWGS! |
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