Nov. 20, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina junior guard Tyrone Johnson sat down with GamecocksOnline.com recently for our web series in conjunction with Spurs and Feathers, “Starting Five With Tyrone Johnson.” The series will highlight a different member of the Gamecock men’s basketball team with each edition. Johnson, a transfer in January 2013 from Villanova, hails from New Jersey and spoke with GamecocksOnline.com about who he models his game after and his impressions of this season’s freshman class.

Q: What player do you model your game after the most?
A: I model my game after Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets). I like how Russell Westbrook is very explosive to the basket and the way he pushes the ball in transition. I like Deron Williams because he is a bigger guard like myself and he can control the game, get his teammates involved and he really uses the pick and roll very well.

Q: You are from the Northeast region of the country, what are your thoughts on the South and South Carolina?
A: I think South Carolina and the South is a very nice atmosphere. People here are very nice and have great Southern Hospitality. For me, coming to South Carolina and getting away from home is a learning experience, and a chance for me to grow.

Q: You are a team newcomer as well, but what are your impressions of the young team members, members of the freshman class?
A: I think the newcomers are doing very well. We are young, but the guys are willing to learn from coaches and they are doing everything that they need to do. They come in every day, work hard and try to be the best that they can be.

Q: What is the area of your game that you are working on the most as this season gets underway?
A: My pull-up jump shot. Just consistently hitting that shot. I think every point guard needs to be able to hit a pull-up jump shot because you can’t always go into the basket, and the pull-up jump shot is very deadly.

Q: What are your thoughts on the SEC and your thoughts on the fan support at South Carolina?
A: The SEC is a very tough conference. Known for football, but I think basketball powerhouses are going to be very big this year. Teams like Kentucky and Florida, and I think the SEC is going to be one of the best basketball conferences in the country. The fan support at South Carolina is amazing. Football games are awesome, fans come out to our games and support us, the women’s basketball games and fan support at all of our sports is very good here at South Carolina and it is a great atmosphere.

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