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/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Q & A With Jamal Mashburn, Jr.
12/23/2020 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
We caught up with one or our newest Gophers, Jamal Mashburn, Jr. Hailing from Miami, Fla., Mashburn, Jr., was a consensus four-star and top-100 prospect in the nation as well as one of the top 2020 recruits from Florida. He is also the son of former NBA great Jamal Mashburn, who was the fourth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and played 11 seasons in the NBA after a standout career at Kentucky under Rick Pitino, father of Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino. Take a look at this Q & A that originally appeared in the game program against Kansas City.
GopherSports: For those that don't know, your dad played for Coach Pitino's dad so the Mashburn-Pitino connection goes back a long way. Take us back to that and how that may have played a role in your decision to come to Minnesota.
Jamal Mashburn, Jr.: Actually, it's a funny story because people think that it plays such a big role, but actually it played a much smaller role. It's just kind of special to see the legacy it kind of brings. My dad being at Kentucky and Rick Pitino, who's a legend, being at Kentucky. Seeing that legacy and continuing to carry it on is definitely special to me and I'm definitely not taking it for granted. I'm grateful that I'm in this position. So, my dad being a great player played three years at Kentucky and me being here for as long as I can and provide the team with great success. It's very special to me and is definitely a significant piece of me being here. Just carrying on that legacy.
GS: What do you take and learn from your dad with his career and with what his background was?
JM: My dad is a special dude. On and off the court, he's teaching me things about business. I know one day the ball is going to stop bouncing and you have to have something to fall back on. That's important to me because I don't just want to be labeled as a basketball player. I want to be labeled as a human being first because that's more important. He's teaching me so much. I can go into so much of what he's teaching me because that's my best friend and my hero. It hurts not being able to see him on holidays, but I know he's watching and calling me every day. He provides so much for me and I wouldn't be in the position that I am and being here playing at the University of Minnesota if it wasn't for him.
GS: How much were you able to see him play, in terms of your age? Did you get a chance to watch him play?
JM: I remember his all-star game in '03. I remember meeting Yao Ming and Michael Jordan. That was when I was a baby. I remember that briefly, but most of the things that I remember is from video or YouTube. He kind of kept me away from all of his stuff because he kind of wanted me to pave my own path. Just do whatever I want to do. He didn't want me to feel the pressure that I had to play basketball. I respect him greatly for that, but this is what I love to do. You know he's definitely helped me with that.
GS: Although a freshman, you're not traditionally having a normal freshmen year or experience. What has that been like for you trying to integrate in with school in a situation that's been so unique?
JM: It's definitely been an experience. All of these older guys, my seniors on this team, they've all been telling me these fans are crazy and fans like these get The Barn rocking. I just wish I could see that, and in my career, I think I will be able to see that and have that fan experience on the court. It's actually been pretty smooth and has helped me focus on my academics. It's helped me focus on basketball and what's important and it keeps my circle small. It keeps my circle with people who are important and are here to help me and keep me grounded.
GS: What are your hobbies outside of basketball?
JM: I love music. Music is everything to me and all types of music. I'm not just a one-dimensional rap kind of guy. I can throw on a little bit of R&B, a little bit of jazz, a little bit of everything. So, I like listening to music. I like writing. I write here from time to time; just stuff to keep my mind free. I know we're all so consumed with basketball, so it's good just to get away and let your mind be at ease for a little bit. So, music and writing are some things that I really love to do.
GS: If there's one song on your phone if you need a pick me up or need to put a smile on your face, what song would it be?
JM: Oh man, that's a great question. "Feeling Good" by Michael Bublé. That's definitely one that puts me in a good place. I even listen to it before games. It's not something hard or gets me jumpy. It's just something that puts me in a good spot. The title of the song is self-explanatory in itself, "Feeling Good". You know, when you feel good, you play good.
GS: If you could have a meal and pick anything out and have for dinner tonight, what would you pick?
JM: I'm a big steak guy. I love steak, like a nice filet. A nice tender cut filet is definitely my go-to.
GS: Do you have a favorite movie that you've maybe seen recently?
JM: The Pursuit of Happyness is one that I've re-watched so many times with my parents and my family. That one is easy.
GopherSports: For those that don't know, your dad played for Coach Pitino's dad so the Mashburn-Pitino connection goes back a long way. Take us back to that and how that may have played a role in your decision to come to Minnesota.
Jamal Mashburn, Jr.: Actually, it's a funny story because people think that it plays such a big role, but actually it played a much smaller role. It's just kind of special to see the legacy it kind of brings. My dad being at Kentucky and Rick Pitino, who's a legend, being at Kentucky. Seeing that legacy and continuing to carry it on is definitely special to me and I'm definitely not taking it for granted. I'm grateful that I'm in this position. So, my dad being a great player played three years at Kentucky and me being here for as long as I can and provide the team with great success. It's very special to me and is definitely a significant piece of me being here. Just carrying on that legacy.
GS: What do you take and learn from your dad with his career and with what his background was?
JM: My dad is a special dude. On and off the court, he's teaching me things about business. I know one day the ball is going to stop bouncing and you have to have something to fall back on. That's important to me because I don't just want to be labeled as a basketball player. I want to be labeled as a human being first because that's more important. He's teaching me so much. I can go into so much of what he's teaching me because that's my best friend and my hero. It hurts not being able to see him on holidays, but I know he's watching and calling me every day. He provides so much for me and I wouldn't be in the position that I am and being here playing at the University of Minnesota if it wasn't for him.
GS: How much were you able to see him play, in terms of your age? Did you get a chance to watch him play?
JM: I remember his all-star game in '03. I remember meeting Yao Ming and Michael Jordan. That was when I was a baby. I remember that briefly, but most of the things that I remember is from video or YouTube. He kind of kept me away from all of his stuff because he kind of wanted me to pave my own path. Just do whatever I want to do. He didn't want me to feel the pressure that I had to play basketball. I respect him greatly for that, but this is what I love to do. You know he's definitely helped me with that.
GS: Although a freshman, you're not traditionally having a normal freshmen year or experience. What has that been like for you trying to integrate in with school in a situation that's been so unique?
JM: It's definitely been an experience. All of these older guys, my seniors on this team, they've all been telling me these fans are crazy and fans like these get The Barn rocking. I just wish I could see that, and in my career, I think I will be able to see that and have that fan experience on the court. It's actually been pretty smooth and has helped me focus on my academics. It's helped me focus on basketball and what's important and it keeps my circle small. It keeps my circle with people who are important and are here to help me and keep me grounded.
GS: What are your hobbies outside of basketball?
JM: I love music. Music is everything to me and all types of music. I'm not just a one-dimensional rap kind of guy. I can throw on a little bit of R&B, a little bit of jazz, a little bit of everything. So, I like listening to music. I like writing. I write here from time to time; just stuff to keep my mind free. I know we're all so consumed with basketball, so it's good just to get away and let your mind be at ease for a little bit. So, music and writing are some things that I really love to do.
GS: If there's one song on your phone if you need a pick me up or need to put a smile on your face, what song would it be?
JM: Oh man, that's a great question. "Feeling Good" by Michael Bublé. That's definitely one that puts me in a good place. I even listen to it before games. It's not something hard or gets me jumpy. It's just something that puts me in a good spot. The title of the song is self-explanatory in itself, "Feeling Good". You know, when you feel good, you play good.
GS: If you could have a meal and pick anything out and have for dinner tonight, what would you pick?
JM: I'm a big steak guy. I love steak, like a nice filet. A nice tender cut filet is definitely my go-to.
GS: Do you have a favorite movie that you've maybe seen recently?
JM: The Pursuit of Happyness is one that I've re-watched so many times with my parents and my family. That one is easy.
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