My School Rocks! 2014-03 - Our 10th Anniversary Edition | Page 30

A
Jef fe rs o n
ly
The Friend

Giant

ald
By Jodi Werner Greenw
an

Photos by LunahZon

with Emily and Jonath

t 29 years old and 6 feet 10
inches from head to toe, Al
Jefferson is one of the most
senior and tallest players on the
Bobcats team. He shared with MSR
fond memories of reaching the NBA
playoffs twice in his career and of
having been drafted right
out of high school. He
also looked ahead to
his inevitable – and
hopefully distant –
retirement.
Responses have
been edited for
brevity.
Emily: Who was your
childhood idol?
AJ: In the
sports
world,
Jerry
Rice.
He was
from
a small
town out

of Mississippi like me, and he made
it, reached his goal and did some
wonderful things on the pro level. He
was the guy I looked up to.
Emily: Were you ever bullied?
AJ: No. Lucky for me, I was bigger
than most of my classmates, and
most of the kids who were older than
me. But I always was a friendly giant.
No one wanted to bully me, and I
didn’t want to bully anyone.
Jodi: What are the biggest
challenges you’ve faced in the NBA?
AJ: Coming out of high school you’re
the man, the star player on your
team. In the NBA you’ve got to earn
it and work your way up. Now it’s
just about staying in the game. Every
year you have an NBA draft where
60-plus players are coming in trying
to take your job. I’m 29 now, and it’s
all about trying to play 10 more, to
play as long as I can.
Jodi: What was your proudest career
moment?
AJ: Two years ago with the Utah
Jazz, I had the chance to make the
playoffs again, for a second time. It
was a special moment for me. That
was the first time making the playoffs
as a leader on my team. It was a
wonderful feeling to reach that goal.
Jonathan: How do you feel about
the return of the Hornets brand?
AJ: When I was your age it
was the Charlotte Hornets,
and they always had the
best colors, the best jerseys
and the best crowd. When
you watched the Charlotte
Hornets game in Charlotte,
the fans were amazing. When
I found out [the team] was
going back to it, I thought
it would really give a good
boost to the city.

AJ: I like to do quiet things. During the
season, you have lots of things on your
mind for the game. During the off season,
you just want to chill with family, relax and
have some “me” time.

s
Rockin’ Reporterin their own words!

Jonathan: Any retirement plans?

“

AJ: Travel the world. I want to go all the
places I see on TV. I don’t do it now. I
always say, if I do everything now, I won’t
have anything to do when I retire.

.
ul time at the interview
I had the most wonderf
! My favorite
signing up
I strongly recommend
Al Jefferson. I
s shaking hands with
part wa
he took time off just to
think it is so kind that
re,
us. When we were the
answer questions for
s being very
team wa
another player on the
d we cracked up!
silly, an
, traveling and hanging
I enjoy playing sports
out with friends.
Fifth grade

Emily: What was your favorite elementary
school subject?

”

AJ: I know I look mean on the court, but
I’m not a mean guy. I’m a very sensitive
guy. I was raised by my two grandmothers
along with my mom. I’m a very friendly guy.

mentary School

Olde Providence Ele

AJ: Math was one of my favorites because
it was so easy to me. Also spelling, I was
really good at it. My grandma always gave
me treats when I made As on my spelling
tests, and I guess it made me work hard.
Jonathan: What don’t people realize about
you?

Emily

Jonathan

“

eting Al Jefferson
What I liked about me
ndly he was with us.
was how nice and frie
t he likes doing things
I was amazed tha
time. He told us
just like us in his free
rked and the things
about how hard he wo
le to become a
he did when he was litt
yer. This was the best
better basketball pla
day ever!
mes, going outside
I like playing video ga
nds, drawing, playing
with my frie
ing TV.
basketball and watch

Fifth grade
ry School
Smithfield Elementa

”

Hey

FOURTH AND FIFTH

graders!

Do you want to interview
a Charlotte Bobcats player?

APPLY ONLINE TO BE A

ROCKIN’ REPORTER
myschoolrocks.com/rr

Emily: What do you do in
your spare time?

30 – My School Rocks! | March 2014

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