Oct. 23, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina freshman guard Jaylen Shaw sat down with GamecocksOnline.com recently for our web series in conjunction with Spurs and Feathers, “Starting Five With Jaylen Shaw.” The series will highlight a different member of the Gamecock men’s basketball team with each edition. A South Carolina native, Shaw hails from Hartsville, where he helped lead his high school squad to back-to-back state championships. Shaw spoke with GamecocksOnline.com about who he models his game after, and what he is working on thus far in the preseason.

Q:You are obviously from the state of South Carolina, but what made attending the University of South Carolina to play basketball so attractive to you?
A: The coaching staff, the way the team and coaching staff stay together. We all want to win.

Q: In high school you were a part of back-to-back state championship teams. Are you excited to bring that winning mentality to the University of South Carolina?
A: I’m excited, but I know that high school doesn’t affect the college level so I need to be ready to keep winning and playing hard.

Q: You proved in high school that you were a scorer at the point guard position, but you also are known for your ability to share the basketball. Coming into your freshman year, do you see yourself as more of a scorer or a passer?
A: I’m a team player first; I’d rather pass the ball than score any time. I like to help my teammates be involved in the game the entire time.

Q: Who do you model your game after the most?
A: Chris Paul. Because I love the way he handles the ball and keeps his teammates involved. He controls the game the entire time.

Q: What aspect of your game are you working on the most as you prepare for your freshman season to get underway?
A: My speed and agility. And being able to understand the things that the coaching staff wants us to do since it is different than high school. Being involved and focused the entire time and learning.

Continue to visit GamecocksOnline.com for more of the web series “Starting Five,” throughout the preseason. For season ticket information, including the new reduced lower level prices, fans should visit www.GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets, or call 1-800-4SC-FANS.