One-on-one with with 2012 men’s basketball commit Justin Tuoyo

Editor’s note: Below is a Q-and-A with 2012 men’s basketball commit Justin Tuoyo conducted by CT sports editor Jim Swing. Tuoyo, a senior at Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga., signed with VCU in May of 2011. In his senior season, Tuoyo, a power forward, averaged 13.9 points per game, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 blocks.

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JS: You got offers from a lot of high-major schools, but what was it about VCU that made it so appealing?

JT: When I went up there with my family, we just had a good connection with the coaching staff, we liked the area up there, and I just got along with Coach Smart real good.

JS: How did Coach Smart approach you?

JT: He told me I was a major priority for what they were trying to build and how they were trying to build their program for more years to come, and me and him had a good connection going on. I liked him on and off the court so it just really built up.

JS: What was it like as a high schooler getting approached by this college coach that has basically turned into a celebrity?

JT: When he first started recruiting I remember he used to come up here, and all my friends would see him, and they didn’t know who he was or nothing, but after it all people were coming up to me like, “Oh man, Shaka Smart,” and it kept building up, but I’ve been knowing him, and now it’s like he’s a celebrity, which is cool.

JS: What was high school like this year knowing you’re about to jump to that next level at VCU?

JT: After I committed it was more of a responsibility for me to do what I had to do. I’m a DI recruit so I have to play like it, so this year I definitely took it more seriously. I work in the weight room to get stronger so I’ll be ready for college.

JS: How long have you followed VCU and what it has done?

JT: They started recruiting me my sophomore year, so just around then was when I started paying attention to them, and everybody think I committed for that Final Four run, but no, that was my first choice, like, as the season was going on.

JS: So VCU was always your No. 1 choice?

JT: Yes, it was always VCU at the top of my list, and then Final Four came and all that, and they kept standing out more and more.

JS: So what was it like watching them go on that Final Four and this year in the NCAA Tournament?

JT: It was good, all my friends were like, “Oh, that’s the team that wants you; you’re going to be on TV.” Everybody knows them now so it’s more television exposure, and everybody around here knows who VCU is.

JS: Are there any specific players that you’re looking forward to playing with?

JT: Mo (Alie-Cox) – me and Mo are real cool, Briante Weber – me and him are real cool, Juvonte Reddic, Darius Theus. I’m cool with all of them. We’re real close; we talk here and there.

JS: Have you met with the other two members of your recruiting class – Mo Alie-Cox and Jordan Burgess?

JT: When I went up there – me, Mo and Jordan – we were all up there together, and we have a good relationship going on. During the whole high school season we would text and keep up with each other’s stats and ask how so-and-so is doing; we’d send video to each other so we can look at each other’s game. We have a real good connection going on.

JS: What do you hope to come to VCU and accomplish from the get-go?

JT: I want to help the team out from a defensive point. I’m a defensive player so as a team I hope to make us more transition, whatever we have to do to win.

JS: How do you think you fit into the HAVOC system?

JT: It’s perfect. I like to run; I’m a more athletic, defensive player. Scoring doesn’t mean a lot to me, but I can score when I need to, so I can just make transition more wild.

JS: Watching your highlight tape, it’s obvious that you’re a power forward that can definitely shoot outside; how big of a part of your game is that?

JT: Shooting is something that I really came on and started working on. When we kept playing teams, I’m quicker than most big guys, and so when I step back, they back up so I won’t drive past them, so I started working on my shot so now they have to start covering my shot, and I can go right past them, so I just started working more and more on it, and I’m still working on it now.

JS: What’s an interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?

JT: Everybody probably thinks I’m shy, but when I get up there, I don’t ever stop talking. I’m always looking to have fun; I’m a loud person on and off the court, and I bring a lot of energy to wherever I go.