Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/99573
"When he does what he's supposed to on a daily basis, every single day, and mentally prepares himself and changes his ways, he's going to be a really good player." Coach Matt Painter on A.J. Hammons lives with Hammons now in the dorms in a suite that adjoins with the other two scholarship true freshmen, Ronnie Johnson and Jay Simpson. He's with him every day, most of the day. He's privy to his quirks more than ever, understands his motives more than ever, hears the no-filter "6-year-old voice" more than ever. And he is starting to see changes in his demeanor and approach. "Now it's like he's playing for something," Davis said. "Before, he was just really out there because he had to be. I see him interacting with his mom and Tyrone, his brother. He's not only playing for himself but he's playing for them as well. It's like now he has a why to why he's playing. Before, I really don't think he did. "He understands what he can be, but he's still new to this being his life, basketball being his life. I think he knows he can score whenever he wants, rebound whenever he wants. He just has to play hard. Once we get him to play hard every possession, he'll be great." The sky isn't the limit — it's farther than that. "I think he's starting to see that, but he's never really had a chance to be that focal point," Quarles said. "It is a process, and that's what he's going through. I think it is coming together for him, but when it comes together full circle, it's going to be a special thing to watch, the growth." j Tom Campbell Since moving into the starting lineup in Game 4, Hammons has responded with production. His season averages jumped in points and rebounding. He's already an imposing defensive presence with a good feel for positioning and using his size and athleticism to alter shots and grab rebounds, but it's what he's showing on the offensive end that offers reason for optimism. Though Hammons says he works on a variety of post moves with assistant coach Greg Gary, he feels most comfortable and most often goes to his hook shot during games. He's shown some nice footwork, too, to create otherwise in the post. And he's finishing at the rim. Since moving into the starting lineup in Game 4, Hammons had a six-game stretch before Christmas in which he made 47 percent of his shots, boosting his scoring average to 9.1, thirdbest on the team. Not that Hammons wants to say he's accomplished anything. When asked what he does well, he flatly says, "nothing, really." "To where I know I can be, I don't think I'm doing anything right," he says. Even though he says everything, he actually seems wary of saying too much yet. He wants to see the passion grow first. He wants to see consistent commitment first. He wants to see the change complete in him. Others, though, have seen progress. Quarles and Rapheal Davis remember how it'd be a struggle to get Hammons awake in time to get to early-morning AAU games. Davis, who has known Hammons since they were 14, GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Bar Barry Liquors Your Tailgating Headquarters Bar Barry i 1110 Sagamore Pkwy. W. Lafayette 765-463-2206 Bar Barry ii 1601 Main St. Lafayette 765-742-2112 ! s B o r G E iL o Bar Barry iii 225 Northwestern W. Lafayette 765-743-6382 Bar Barry iV 2108 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. S Lafayette 765-474-8989 Bar Barry V 3000 S. 9th Lafayette 765-474-5274 ® Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 3 • 43