Feb. 22, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s basketball team returns home this weekend to host Ole Miss on Saturday evening with tipoff set for 7:00 pm. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to salute the Gamecock Senior Class on Senior Day.

THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENIOR CLASS
Tre’ Kelley, Brandon Wallace and Bryce Sheldon

Q&A By Devon Johnson

1. If you could sum up your experience here at USC into a few words, what would it be?

Brandon: Exciting and it’s been fun.

Bryce: Life changing.

Tre`: Great experience. I’ve had some good times.

2. Tell about how you felt when you first came to USC as freshman basketball player compared to now since it is your last season?
Brandon: As a freshman I was just a young person experiencing new things. As a senior I’m more mature as a person. I feel like I grew more as a person.

Bryce: It was a big change and transition coming from California to here. A much higher level as far as basketball, a different culture, but an all-around great experience.

Tre`: Coming from Washington D.C. to South Carolina was definitely a transition. I had to make a big transition. As time went on I matured as a person and as a player and I improved in both areas.

3. What is your most memorable moment here at USC?

Brandon: Going to the NCAA Tournament my freshmen year.

Bryce: Winning the NIT Championship last year.

Tre`: Winning the first NIT Championship.

4. Are there any funny catch phrases that any of you or the players and coaches say that will always remember?

Brandon: Make one (jump shot).

Bryce: I call Tre` Kells (Nickname of R&B star R. Kelly).

Tre`: What do you want to be when you grow up? Coach Duckett has a lot of good ones.

5. If you could go back to one particular moment in your career what would it be?

Brandon: The SEC tournament last year.

Bryce: The beginning of the SEC Championship game last March. We started out really cold. If we had started a little hotter the end result could have been a little different.

Tre`: The last minute of the SEC Tournament Championship game. I would have driven to the basket instead of shooting that three-pointer.

6. What do you think you will miss the most?

Brandon: The atmosphere in the Colonial Center – playing in front of the home crowd. Being that I’m from the state, it means that much more for me.

Bryce: The seniors, my teammates, coaches, the family that we have built here.

Tre`: Family, chemistry, atmosphere, fellowship and friendship that we have built as a team since I have been here. We all have become close friends and then we became a family.

7. What is next for you? What are your plans? (Everyone’s dream is playing in the NBA)

Brandon: Continue playing basketball and one day I’d like to coach.

Bryce: It is up in the air right now, but of course I would like to continue playing. Who knows?

Tre`: Continue playing basketball and one day going back to my old neighborhood back in D.C. to give something back. Help the younger guys and show them that there are other ways to make it out and become successful.

8. Do you think three will remain in contact?

ALL: Oh yeah, definitely. No matter what! No question!

9. What would be a story book ending for you guys?

Brandon: Winning out and making it back to the NCAA Tournament.

Bryce: Yeah, the same ending as Brandon.

Tre`: Being able to come back after so many people thought we couldn’t do anything. Make a strong run from here on out and the SEC Tournament, get a bid in the NCAA and make a strong run while we are there.