Talking Illini hoops with Aaron Spears
The 6-foot-9,250-pound former Chicago Dunbar prep played first six games of the season as a true freshman before suffering a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee during practice on Dec. 16. He applied for medical redshirt after the season to preserve a year of eligibility.
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In high school,Spears earned first-team All-State honors from the Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette after averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 assists per game … Also earned Special-Mention All-State honors by the Chicago Tribune and Honorable-Mention All-State by the Associated Press … First-team All-City by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times ...Chicago Public League Red Central Division MVP ...Played in the Michael Jordan Capital Classic All-Star game with fellow Illini recruit Dee Brown.(Information courtesy of the University of Illinois sports information department.)
Question:Let’s just get right to it: Who would you rather beat—Iowa, Indiana, or Missouri?
Aaron Spears:I’d probably say Missouri. They’re probably one of the biggest games on our schedule.
Question:Who’s the biggest celebrity you’ve ever met, and how’d you meet them?
Spears:I met Michael Jordan my senior year in high school through the Jordan All-American game.
Question:You went on the European trip this year—what was the best part about that?
Spears:Just the chance to see a new place you’ve never been before. Going overseas, there’s a lot going on over there.
Question:What was the worst part?
Spears:The food. Yeah. The food was bad.
Question:Can you explain the difference between the personalities of Coach Weber and Coach Self?
Spears:I would say Coach Weber is a little bit more vocal.
Question:What about coaching styles?
Spears:I really haven’t seen a lot of difference in that yet.
Question:How do you see this year’s team being different from last year’s team?
Spears:I think everybody is going to step-up this year. Everyone is going to work hard.
Question:After coming onto the Illini radar screen late your senior year, and then redshirting last year, Illini fans don’t know a whole lot about you. Can you tell me a little bit about your game?
Spears:I just like to rebound a lot and give a down low presence. Get physical underneath and rebound,and score as much as I can.
Question:Who would you say is the funniest player on the team?
Spears:I’d probably say James Augustine. Yeah James for sure.
Question:Who’s the more physical player—Jack Ingram or yourself?
Spears:I’d have to say Jack.
Question:Are you just saying that to be modest?
Spears:(laughing) No, Jack for real.
We thank Aaron Spears for his time and insights.
