HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

Jahii Carson says one of the reasons the Pac-12 Conference has made a comeback this season is the emergence of talented freshmen.

But it’s not just UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammad, Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson. Or Oregon’s backcourt of Damyean Dotson and Dominic Artis (who has been out with a foot injury the last couple of weeks).

Don’t forget Carson himself.

The Arizona State guard, who is 5-10 and 175 pounds, leads his team with 17.9 points and 5.1 assists a game while playing the most minutes (36.2 a game) of any Sun Devils player. He has scored at least 20 points in a game 11 times. Carson is fifth in the league in scoring, and he’s a big reason Arizona State 18-6, 7-4 Pac-12) thinks it can hang with any conference foe.

Though Carson is playing a year later than he expected to — because of academic issues — he’s making the most of his opportunity. Carson’s speed and scoring touch are on display in every ASU game.

“I’m a fast guy,” he says. “We’re just trying to get easy buckets, and I think the fastest way and easiest way to get buckets is getting the rebound and pushing the ball. Even if we don’t get a basket, we’re at least putting pressure on the other team so they’ll have to think about it. … We’re just trying to keep consistent pressure on the defense.”

USA TODAY Sports’ Nicole Auerbach recently caught up with Carson to discuss his on-court success, his off-court hobbies and the time he dunked when he was 13 years old.

On my iPod

I like Jay-Z. Lil’ Wayne. Drake. (Before games), I actually listen to slow music like Trey Songz to calm me down, give me a nice mental space before a game.

TV show I can’t live without

Hey Arnold!

My hobbies outside of basketball

I pretty much try to keep up with sports. … like, I like to know a lot of facts. If I’m having a debate with my friends, I’d like to have most of the facts about the sports world. I like music, all kinds of music. I like everything that comes … [For more on Getting to know: Arizona State's Jahii Carson, click here.]