FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University junior men’s basketball standout Tristan Carey/Colonial Beach is this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. The 6-4 guard averaged 28.0 points and 8.7 rebounds in three games last week while shooting 52% from the field (28-54), 46% on three-point field goals (13-28) and 75% at the free throw line (15-20). He scored a school Division I-record 40 points against Liberty on February 19, making a school DI-record 8-15 three-pointers, and adding the career-high and game-high 12 rebounds for his second-straight and fifth career double-double. The 40 points are the highest single-game total this season by a player in the Big South, and the eight three-pointers tie the most made by a conference player this season. Carey's 40-point effort is the fifth-highest, single-game scoring total in the 37-year history of the program, and the most points scored in a game since Jason Pryor scored 41 points on two occasions during 2000-01. The eight three-pointers are the third-highest total in the history of the program, only behind the school-record, nine three-pointers made in a game by both Husein Pistoljevic (2003-04) and Hunter Hoggatt (2000-01). Carey had scored what was at the time a career-high 31 points against Radford on Feb. 16, adding 10 rebounds for another double-double, and he had 13 points and four rebounds against High Point on Feb. 13. He is averaging 15.9 points and 5.4 rebounds, adding 60 steals, 50 assists and 15 blocks, and is the team leader in points (445), scoring average, field goals, field goal attempts, three-point field goals, three-point attempts, three-point percentage, steals and minutes (947).
Question and Answer Session with Tristan Carey and Abby Pendleton / 11-28-2012
AP: Do you find yourself giving advice to the newer players this year?
TC: This year is more of a learning year, not just for myself, but for others because we have a lot of new players, so I feel like I’m teaching them what’s going on and also learning myself and becoming a better person.
AP: As team captain, what are you doing differently?
TC: It’s more about pushing and motivating people. Before, everybody wasn’t so motivated, but now it’s all about motivation and getting people to play at a high level.
AP: What sparked your interest in playing basketball?
TC: My father. He played basketball in high school and I grew up around it. Basketball always stuck with me. Playing three sports in high school (football, basketball, and baseball), it was always hard to stay in one sport, but as I entered college, focusing on one sport helped me get so much more into basketball.
AP: What has been one of your proudest moments playing basketball?
TC: Being able to actually play basketball and becoming a starter for Longwood; it’s always a goal for a Division 1 athlete to be able to start the game. That’s always a proud moment.
AP: Do you have a pregame ritual?
TC: We always go eat at 3:30 p.m. if our game is at 7 p.m. and around 4:30 I go take a shower, then head to the gym two hours before the game and work out with one of the coaches and get some shots in. I always listen to music on my headphones before the games and I just go out on the court afterwards.
AP: Why did you choose Longwood?
TC: It just felt like home. I live in an area similar to Longwood; a small town. It was a perfect fit.
AP: What is your favorite Longwood tradition?
TC: The G.A.M.E. walk to the soccer field the first week we get back. It’s good to see the students being involved at Longwood and their positive attitudes. Basically supporting Longwood and I like that.
AP: What are your post-graduate plans?
TC: I want to become a social worker. I like talking to people and working with people.
AP: Do you have any role models?
TC: My mom. She’s been there since day one, bending her back for me. She is always supporting me through everything I’ve do and is such a positive person.
AP: Is there anything interesting that most people don’t know about you or your family?
TC: I have a couple cousins who are famous athletes. [Jermon Bushrod-New Orleans Saints; Torrey Smith-Baltimore Ravens]
AP: Do you have any advice for an aspiring basketball player?
TC: Stay motivated. Be determined, be humble and strive for what you want. Work hard.
