Sept. 28, 2007

Columbia, SC – With basketball practice set to begin in less than a month, South Carolina’s website, gamecocksonline.com (GO), is visiting with a Gamecock basketball player every few days. The second is freshman forward Sam Muldrow – a native of Florence, S.C. Sam is the cousin of former All-SEC player Carlos Powell (mothers are sisters). He had perfect attendance at Wilson High School and was on the Honor Roll and begins his career at Carolina after averaging 19 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 bpg and 3 apg as a senior at Wilson High School in Florence, S.C. under head coach Bob Wilson.

USC: What is the most positive thing you have seen so far from your team?

SM: Everyone tries to unite as one and work together.

USC: As a freshman, how has the transition from high school basketball to college basketball been?

SM: The game is a lot faster. We have to lift weights every morning and condition during the day.

USC: What have the upperclassmen done to help you feel more comfortable this season?

SM: They guide me through everything to make sure I know it. They try to show me some stuff that will help me through practices.

USC: When you have a day off, what do you like to do?

SM: Sleep.

USC: Who has been a role model to you as a young basketball player?

SM: Devan Downey: He is inspiring. He tries to keep me going everyday and to keep working hard so we can win games.

USC: How has your game improved since you’ve been at USC?

SM: I work hard everyday. I have been working with my jump hook and it has improved a lot. Coach Odom showed me what I needed to do and how I needed to do it.

USC: What professional athlete do you most admire, why?

SM: I admire Dwayne Wade. He is quick and he attacks the rim.

USC: What is the best advice you have learned from teammates? Coaches?

SM: My coach told me to be a leader and not a follower. My teammates have told me to be a team and to work hard. It helps me know I need to work hard because there are other schools around here working hard, like we’re doing.

USC: Did Carlos, your cousin, have anything to do with your decision to come here? Are you similar or different from him?

SM: He told me about the school, but I had decided I wanted to come here. I am a lot different. I go out there and play the game, I don’t talk much.