Otis Livingston II is a 5-11 freshman guard on the men's basketball team from Linden, NJ. Livingston is the lone Patriots player on the roster to start all 27 games and leads the team in total points and assists. He is making his mark early in his collegiate career earning three Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors. GoMason.com sat down with Otis for a Q&A.
Q: What do you tell people about where you grew up in New Jersey?
We moved a few times growing up, so I lived in a few different places. But overall, everybody knows everybody. It's close knit. As far as basketball goes, there are a lot of rivalries because everyone is so close and grew up playing against each other. I love being from New Jersey.
Q: What is a unique fact about yourself or your family?
My mom waned her kids to have a diverse education growing up, so I played the piano up until I was 15-16. She made us all [my siblings and I] go to piano lessons. I also played the saxophone a little when I was in the band in 8th grade. I would say my favorite type of music to play on the piano was anything Beethoven or Mozart. On the sax, I would just play whatever the band was playing.
Q: Did playing a musical instrument help teach you any lessons athletically?
Yes, knowing how much practice helps every day carried over to my game. The day you don't practice is when you're rusty the next day. So take no breaks. I also learned how rewarding it felt to learn a difficult song and be able to play it through - it felt really good.
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
I played baseball until 7th grade. I played second, shortstop, center field and I pitched a little bit. Shortstop was my favorite position though. My parents wanted us to get diversity in sports and didn't want me to just play basketball, but baseball wasn't my favorite sport. I stopped playing baseball in 8th grade because I loved playing basketball and it was time for me to focus on one sport.
Q: Did you watch your dad on TV when you were growing up?
It was cool to watch him when I was younger. I used to put on a dress shirt and tie and just watch him and pretend I was him. He used to take me with him sometimes so I could go behind-the-scenes and see how things work. He also used to wish my Happy Birthday on TV which was always cool, we would watch it. My dad also played college basketball at Kansas and Idaho.Otis Livingston, WCBS-TV.
Q: What is the biggest difference and transition from high school to college basketball?
I would say defense was the toughest because everyone is faster, stronger and overall just better. Playing defense with that speed is different than on offense. In high school I could dominate defensively, but now I have to play smarter.
Q: Who is your favorite NBA player? Team?
Russell Westbrook because he plays with a lot of heart and passion in every game and that's what I want to be like. When fans come to the games, I want them to be able to say that I gave my everything in that game. The Golden State Warriors just because of the way they move the ball, it's unselfish and entertaining to watch. They win a lot of games because they're a really good team.
Q: Do you have a 'Nickname'? If so, how did you get it?
Slim and O. Slim was just random, I was coming up with a Twitter name and I just picked that one and told my teammates to call me that. Now when I meet new people, I tell them to call me that.
Q: When you were growing up, did you go to any NBA games? And are you looking forward to playing in the Barclays Center for the A-10 Tournament?
I went to a couple growing up – a Knicks game and a Nets game. They were cool. It was kind of like a movie, it was a production.
I'm definitely looking forward to playing at the Barclays. Professionals play on that court – it will be a crazy feeling. And hopefully my whole family will be able to come, so it will be a great experience.
Q: Why did you choose Mason?
The coaching staff on the first day I met them, they were awesome and Coach Paulsen was really funny. It was a great experience – they were honest with me about my game and the situation. And I really liked the way the campus was. It was the best opportunity for me.
Q: If you could attend any sporting event at all, a Super Bowl, NBA Finals, Final Four, Wimbledon, etc. What would it be? Why?
Game seven of the NBA Finals. There would be so much tension in that game with a lot of focus, it would be a great game and good basketball with a lot of heart and passion.
Q: When recruits come to visit, what do you tell them about why they should come to Mason?
It's a great school and the campus is a good size; it's not too big or too small. There are also a lot of great people here and a lot of kind people, that's one of the first things I noticed. As far as basketball goes, I tell them Coach is going to be a hard coach, but you'll also learn a lot. The program is on the rise and if they want to be a part of something special, this is the place to do it.
Q: What's something you couldn't live without?
iPhone
Q: Top three things on your bucket list?
Skydiving for the sense of thrill, meet Michael Jordan, meet President Obama
